Turning Tonbridge Pink

Wear pink, make ’em wink!

Tonbridge School pupils have been parading around in pink to raise awareness and money for cancer, particularly breast cancer, which affects some 55,000 people in the UK alone.

Tonbridge boys and staff were spotted in an assortment of pink attire which included dresses, wigs, animal costumes and superhero capes for the school’s Pink Day on 11 October. The boys didn’t have to wait long to show off their imaginative costumes or admire the others around them as the school kicked off as normal(ish) with morning chapel. Here Olly Tears, a year 11 student, explained to the whole school in a brave and powerful speech the importance of breast cancer charities, and how they had helped his own family when his mother was diagnosed – and successfully treated – with breast cancer.

To spread the message even further, pink bows and ribbons were tied to school buildings, trees and doorposts. The school chapel was also lit with pink uplighters, looking beautiful in the early morning.

The funds raised by Tonbridge’s Pink Day are being split Breast Cancer Kent and Breast Cancer Now, supporting vital research into improving cancer survival rates for all, as well as practical support for families affected.

Tonbridge’s Community Action Manager, Juliet Burnett, said ‘Pink Day is a highlight of the year and a hugely popular day with boys and staff. The whole school gets involved and it’s a fun way to let the school and the wider Tonbridge community know that we are standing with those affected by cancer.’

Tonbridge is an all boys boarding and day school in Kent from age 13 – 18. Find its School House listing here. The next Tonbridge open day is 7 March – book your place here.

 Others charitable events Tonbridge boys take part in includes the ‘sleep out’ in aid of the charity Porchlight, music concerts for senior citizens, events to support Child Action Lanka, and the Whole School Community Day, in which boys work on a range of local projects.