YORK Castle High School in Brown’s Town, St Ann, received a major boost to its sports programme recently when past students handed over a cheque valued at $1.2 million to the institution.

It was a celebratory atmosphere at the school’s general devotion two Fridays ago when past students, including Jennifer ‘Jenny Jenny’ Small, officially handed over the money to Principal Raymond Treasure.

Small explained that the initiative to raise the money surfaced when a group of past students, who meet annually to reminisce and have a good time, decided that they could do more to help their school.

According to her, a decision was then taken to host an annual fun day called ‘York Castle Funtastic Day’.

“I looked in the group and I see that we were all successful. We were all doing well, but then our school kept asking us one by one to help a student here and there. I said it’s a disgrace, though, that we have them calling us like this one by one and we can do something combined,” Small said, adding that the group planned the event and also networked with other past students to raise the money.

She also shared that past students are still donating, and said that money will go towards an anniversary dinner to be hosted next year, while fund-raising activities will continue.

She expressed thanks to those who made contributions, including political representatives from the area.

In the meantime, the principal said a portion of the money will cover the cost to resurface the school’s netball court, while some will go towards its football programme.

“We are extremely grateful for this contribution. They (past students) have been very supportive. Some of them are coming from the class of 1991/92 and before they use to just meet and link up, but they have decided to take it to another level where they support our school improvement projects. What we will do with this contribution is to use it to improve our sporting facilities,” Treasure said.

He said sports such as netball, basketball, volleyball, and hockey will benefit from the money.

“It will certainly give our programme a tremendous boost, and not just for competitive activities, but for health and wellness as well. It is a good thing to encourage students to get involved in sporting activities not just to compete, but to improve their health and wellness,” he added.

Small, who led the group of past students, encouraged students to give of their best in the different sports. She said she wants to see students doing as well as some of the other schools known for their sporting dominance.