For the past several years, Bolton School has been raising money to support and uplift street children in Malawi. This fundraising, which was first inspired by Junior Girls’ School teacher Mrs Julia Marsden’s trip to Malawi in 2017, culminated in a whole school charity walk at the end of the summer term that brought the grand total to an incredible £60,000.
The money will support to Great Minds Bright Futures, a charity founded by Bolton School parent Dave Armstrong which aims to give Malawian children a better future by providing education opportunities, creating safe spaces for vulnerable children to grow, and supporting them as young adults into work.
The whole of the Bolton School Foundation was involved in the sponsored walk, from the youngest children in the Nursery all the way through to Sixth Form students.
1,200 Senior School pupils and Sixth Formers in the Girls’ and Boys’ Divisions undertook a whole-day walk from the School site on Chorley New Road to the top of Rivington Pike. Primary Division children did their bit too: Junior Boys and Girls walked around the School’s tiered playing fields, known as the Levels, while the Nursery and Infant School walked through their playground and garden. Primary Division children were also involved in dancing to Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’.
Great Minds Bright Futures representatives Mr Armstrong, Joanne Braithwaite, Katie Porter and Jack Preston came into School to be presented with a cheque for £60,000 by children and young people from across the Bolton School Foundation, who were involved in the fundraising.
Mr Armstrong said: ‘I am truly grateful for the contribution of each pupil, their families and the school. Sixty thousand pounds is an incredible amount that will go a long way in Malawi, supporting the education of orphaned and vulnerable children, not just this generation but future generations.
‘Having volunteered supporting projects in Malawi for 20 years, I have seen first hand the impact of quality education on Malawians and how it can raise a family from poverty.
‘I want every pupil of Bolton School to be enormously proud of their efforts, it has been a pleasure working with them and the staff at the school, from sergeants and reception staff to teachers and Mr Britton. I hope Great Minds Bright Futures and Bolton School have a long relationship working together to improve the lives of those less fortunate.’
Mrs Marsden said: ‘I am eternally grateful to the pupils, parents, friends, and alumni of Bolton School, whose generosity has been nothing short of extraordinary. My deepest thanks also go to Great Minds Bright Futures for being the driving force behind this vision. Together, we are not just changing lives; we are shaping futures.’
In the past year, the Bolton School Foundation has also been involved in projects to provide children at Chunzu Primary School, a school opened in Malawi by Great Minds Bright Futures, with school uniforms, stationery, toiletries and shoes.
The £60,000 total includes £20,000 raised by the Junior Girls alone. The Junior Girls’ school, inspired by Mrs Marsden, has been fundraising since 2017 with the aim of building a school in Malawi.
Keep reading below this album of photos for a full recap of the project.
Mrs Julia Marsden, who has led the fundraising project from the very beginning, shares the full history of the Malawi fundraising project:
The story of Malawi is a profound reminder of the power of collective compassion, shared vision, and unwavering determination. As a teacher in the Junior Girls’ School at Bolton School, I have been blessed with incredible support from the school community and the charity Great Minds Bright Futures, allowing us to transform dreams into a tangible reality. Together, we have turned visions into reality, proving that even the most ambitious plans can come to life when driven by compassion and commitment.
This journey began for me in 2017 when, through the inspiration of a fellow parent and police officer, I joined RETRAK, a charity supported by Greater Manchester Police, to work with street children in Africa. At the time, my life was hectic—raising four children and navigating a house move—but one of my students changed my perspective entirely. During a Religious Studies lesson, we were discussing Mahatma Gandhi's famous quote, ‘Be the change that you wish to see in the world,’ and a student’s insight touched me deeply. Her words—that without taking risks, our world remains unchanged and static—ignited a spark within me, and I knew I had to go.
Six months later, in October 2017, I boarded a plane to Malawi with fifteen members of Greater Manchester Police. The experience was eye-opening. In the capital city Lilongwe, we played football, built Lego, and engaged in arts and crafts with street children. But the moment that will always stay with me was seeing the joy in their faces when they submerged themselves in water for the first time in their lives at Lake Malawi. That moment crystallized the realisation that these children needed more than just a brief moment of joy—they needed clean water, education, and hope. I knew then that my journey with Malawi was far from over.
What these children face daily is heart breaking—Malawi’s orphans struggle with abuse, illness, and disease, their futures are uncertain without intervention. On one of my visits, I contracted malaria and became very ill, an experience that brought me even closer to understanding the harsh reality they endure. It further solidified my commitment to help, knowing that they had no escape from these hardships.
Upon returning to the UK, I was overwhelmed by the love and generosity from the Bolton School community. Friends, parents, and students eagerly wanted to know about my trip. One student gave me a cheque for £3,000, determined to help bring clean water to the village I had visited. This moment was the catalyst for the larger vision that followed. With 1.5 million orphans in Malawi facing unimaginable challenges, I knew I was just beginning to scratch the surface of what could be achieved.
In October 2018, I returned to Malawi, determined to make a lasting difference. With funds raised, we drilled a borehole, installed water pumps, and transformed the health of an entire village. I continued working with street children, using art therapy to bring light into their lives. I’ll never forget the little girl who held my hand as we washed her clothes. Later, seeing her asleep in a maize bag on the streets of Lilongwe broke my heart. It was then I knew that education was the only key to lasting change.
Bolton School has been an incredible pillar throughout this journey. The school’s ethos of recognising potential in every child, alongside fostering resilience and compassion, has provided a foundation for these efforts.
After the pandemic, I launched a campaign to build a school in Malawi—a safe haven for children from all backgrounds. With the incredible efforts of the junior school girls, we raised over £20,000 by together walking, running, swimming, climbing and cycling the distance to Malawi. The Bolton School community has also contributed hundreds of pairs of shoes for the children: a touching testament to their care and commitment.
As the project expanded, I connected with Dave Armstrong, a Bolton School parent who had experience of working in Malawi. His charity, Great Minds Bright Futures, became a vital partner in the work we are doing.
In October 2023, we returned to Malawi, securing land and laying the groundwork for a high school that will provide not just education, but also meals and healthcare for these children. This school represents hope for a brighter future for the orphans of Malawi.
In 2024, with the remarkable backing of the Bolton School Foundation, I led a Foundation-wide sponsored walk. The Head of Foundation, Philip Britton, was instrumental in making this a whole-school effort, and together we raised £60,000. This incredible achievement is a reflection of the deep, shared commitment within the Bolton School community to uplift the children of Malawi.
Additionally, my family and friends have gathered items to create a sustainable shop in Malawi, providing young adults with a pathway to employment and breaking the cycle of poverty. These collective efforts are not just building a school—they are building a legacy that will uplift generations to come.
I am eternally grateful to the pupils, parents, friends, and alumni of Bolton School, whose generosity has been nothing short of extraordinary. My deepest thanks also go to Great Minds Bright Futures for being the driving force behind this vision. Together, we are not just changing lives; we are shaping futures.
