Students from St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Academy (SFX) in Woolton, Liverpool, have helped raise more than £70,000 for charities, upholding the school’s Xaverian values of making a difference and caring for others.

During the 2024/25 academic year, all SFX year groups have fundraised for a charity of choice and have also come together as a school community during key points in the liturgical calendar to raise money and gather donations for Catholic charities that work across Liverpool and beyond.

The three Catholic charities that SFX students have fundraised for this year across all year groups are:

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The Good Shepherd appeal for Nugent, who have been supported for 123 years by generations of schoolchildren across the Archdiocese of Liverpool;

‍Micah Liverpool, the social justice charity set up by Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, and St Bride’s Church; and

‍CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development), that works in some of the poorest communities across the world to end poverty and injustice.

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Jo Henney, chief executive of Nugent, said: “On behalf of everyone at Nugent, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the students, staff, and wider community of SFX for raising an incredible £871.20 in support of our 2025 Good Shepherd Appeal. The school’s efforts truly embody this year’s theme, ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.

“Through students’ creativity, compassion, and generosity, they are helping us build brighter futures for individuals and families across the Liverpool City Region. We are so grateful for SFX’s continued support and proud to have them walking alongside us on this journey of hope.”

From hosting whole school colour runs and football tournaments to foodbank appeals, students have collectively combined their Catholic Social Teaching (CST) by focusing on SFX’s second key principle - the common good and the community.

This principle forms the basis of all that SFX does as a school created to serve Christ and each other, by prioritising the wellbeing of entire communities to ensure all members of society have the conditions to flourish and live with dignity.

Mr David Hayes, headteacher of St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Academy, said: “I am extremely proud of the SFX school community and all it has achieved this year to support those less fortunate and help raise awareness of key issues currently being faced within today’s society.

“Looking after others and making a difference are important values at SFX as we strive to create meaningful relationships, not only with God and one another, but our wider community. Our students have shown themselves to be outstanding Catholic citizens and should be delighted with their efforts in raising such an incredible amount of money.

“As we approach the end of the school year, it’s important that we take time to come together and reflect on all that has been accomplished, whilst looking ahead to the future and I’m excited to see what the next academic year of fundraising has in store!”

Year 7’s charity of choice to fundraise for this year was the South Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service and by running a small tuck shop during the warmer months to offer all students cooling refreshments, the year group raised over £200.

South Liverpool Foodbank was the charity of choice for Year 8 students who have collected over £1,000 worth of food and toiletries since September. They also donated Easter eggs to the charity in April to the sum of £600.

In Year 9, what started as a PSHCE (personal, social, health, and citizenship education) discussion about the importance of giving back, turned into a heartfelt mission to support patients receiving life-saving kidney treatment at The Royal Liverpool Hospital Kidney Dialysis Unit. Students raised £750 through their fundraising efforts that will go towards improving patient comfort for those undergoing dialysis treatment.

Wanting to go one step further, key stage four students in Year 10 and Year 11 have supported two charities each since September. Year 10’s charities of choice included Mary’s Meals, that feeds children living in some of the poorest parts of the world, and the Vietnamese charity, Kianh Foundation, that offers health care and education services. The year group raised £1,150 to go towards both charities.

Year 11 students focused closer to home by fundraising for local charities that are directly supporting boys within the school.  By setting up collection boxes and donating spare change for The Owen McVeigh Foundation, that supports families who are suffering from cancer in Merseyside, students contributed to its ‘Big Jump Tandem Sky Dive’ event that raised over £45,000.

The year group also continued to support Alfie’s Squad, founded by SFX student Alfie Fitsimmons, following the loss of his father to suicide. Year 11s hosted a football tournament that raised £750 and supported a special charity evening, which was also attended by school staff, and raised nearly £20,000.

Sixth form students opted to don their star baker aprons and hosted a Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning with home-made cake sales raising more than £500.

As SFX continues to grow and thrive, the school community remains enthusiastic about the support it can provide to others, and it is currently selecting charities to support for next year.

The academy is proud to be part of the St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust.

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