Students and staff at Smithdon High School in Hunstanton and Clenchwarton Primary School in King’s Lynn take part in Hello Yellow Day to raise money for Young Minds

Staff and students at West Norfolk schools swapped their usual attire for sunnier shades when they held a fundraising event for a mental health charity.

Smithdon High School and Clenchwarton Primary School were awash with yellow in support of Young Minds, which raises awareness of mental health issues in young people.

The annual Hello Yellow Day initiative saw students across the school sport yellow clothing and accessories, while members of staff also dressed in the colour.

Everyone taking part donated to the cause, while activities were also held across the day at the school.

Tina Bucke, pastoral support manager at Smithdon and an organiser of the event, said: “All students were invited to wear a yellow accessory and or a yellow top under their school blazer and bring £1, which went to Young Minds.

“There were lots of activities the school took part in – an assembly about Young Minds and mental health, lesson starters to promote positive mental health for tutor time and for each lesson and a photo booth during lunchtime.”

The event has become a regular fixture in the Smithdon calendar and the school hopes to have raised more than £200 for the charity this time.

“We have taken part in Hello Yellow every year for at least three years and before the lockdown,” Ms Bucke added.

“It’s a really fun day, with the ‘yellow’ bringing a smile to everyone’s face. Last year we raised £199, which we are hoping to beat this year.

“These events are so important for the students to raise vital funds for Hello Yellow, should they ever need support from them, and to show children and young people they are not alone with their mental health.”

It was the third time that Clenchwarton had supported the occasion, with staff also arriving for the day in cheerful shades of yellow.

Ashleigh Webb, Year 6 class teacher and mental health lead at the school, said: “Staff, students and parents were excited to raise funds again for this meaningful charity, looking out for the mental health of young people up and down the UK.”

There was a focus on mental health across the week at the school, with activities including a whole-school assembly and personal, social, health and economic lessons dedicated to the subject.

Miss Webb added: “We hope to have raised £100 for the charity this year.

“In total over previous years, we have raised nearly £500 for the charity.

“The children covered things like what Hello Yellow is as a charity, why mental health in young people is important, and what to do if they feel they need help with their own or are worried about someone they might know.”

“Events like this are crucial for our children, as it encourages them to be open about their mental health and realise that it is just as important as their physical health.

“We, as a school, want to raise empathic, kind and considerate children who are not afraid of the stigma surrounding mental health issues and can, instead, face these barriers head-on with the right help.”

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