Boys forge surfing friendships with Kids Co

The 2010 group of Kids Company boys with pupils from Sherborne, Polzeath.

Towards the end of the Trinity Term the school looked to build on the link that we established last year with Kids Company in London. A series of fundraising events run throughout the Lent term helped to finance a trip to Polzeath in North Cornwall for six young people from the London centres together with their support staff. Kids Company was set up by Camila Batmanghelidjh (an Old Girl of Sherborne Girls School). The Kids Company centres provide practical, emotional and educational support to vulnerable inner-city children. Boys and staff from Sherborne met a wonderfully enthusiastic group from Kids Company from the train before we set off to Cornwall in the sunshine with the aim of taking a break to make time to learn more about each other and to develop friendships.

The weather was spectacular and on Friday night the boys and staff played football on the huge expanse of low-tide smooth sand. Play was only interrupted by the need to stand and watch the sun as it sank into the sea. The community in Polzeath did a wonderful job of supporting this initiative and we were particularly grateful to the Animal Surf School who provided surfing equipment and tuition and arranged rooms for us in the Atlantic Hotel overlooking the bay.

At 8:30am the following morning we all met at the top of the beach to get fitted out with wetsuits and surfboards before heading out for our first surf lesson. This first lesson was followed up by a second after lunch which soon had us all on our feet riding the waves. Tired and exhausted we found rest in the 'Sandbar Restaurant' who put together hearty meals for the group. Our support of England who were playing their first match in the World Cup helped bring the group together. Afterwards we found the time and energy for more beach football, as there was still light in the sky at 10:30pm!

After a slightly later morning lesson on Sunday, we packed up and headed back to Sherborne, saying good-bye to the staff and boys from Kids Company at the station. With Facebook addresses exchanged and warm embraces we had all gained much from spending such a magical weekend together and are now making plans to broaden this important link further next year.

Peter Chillingworth

Posted: Wednesday, June 23, 2010