Press release – 17 February 2025
Schoolchildren in Belfast have been creating and selling big chocolate coins to raise money for charity. Students from Mitchell House, a school for children with physical and associated learning disabilities, are involved in a year-long mini enterprise teaching them valuable life skills.
The venture from children in the school’s Patton class is raising funds for charities supporting people both in the community and right across the world.
Ali Cardwell is running the Patton’s Pounds project. She says: “The class love it, and they’ve gained so much confidence by making and selling the coins, working as a team and problem solving.
“We have a packaging, marketing team, and admin team for them to be part of.
“Experiencing how to run and manage a simple business gives them opportunities to learn about the value of money and engage with the local community, which has helped boost their confidence and self-esteem.”
Patton class sell the coins locally and have a lot of support including from community centres in Inverary and Knocknagoney, which they have visited. The children were also invited on an exciting class trip to Belfast City Airport to sell their chocolate coins to people travelling through and have been invited back next month too.
They have raised hundreds of pounds so far, selling two chocolate coins for £1 and five chocolate coins for £2. Mitchell House donated the money they raised throughout January to Ryan’s Cookie Box in the month the well-known community County Down baker was raising funds for ShelterBox. They were keen to support one of Ryan’s chosen charities after he visited the school to share how he runs his charity business with his Mum.
Ali adds: “Our pupils have a real appreciation of what it means to need help and therefore are compassionate to the needs of others. We have found them enthusiastic to make small differences where possible.
“We chose ShelterBox because we loved what the charity does and knew it would be something we could use to further learning in the classroom.
“While supporting ShelterBox, we happened to watch a Newsround edition about the war in Ukraine, which gave opportunity for the class to understand the reality of what ShelterBox do and provide to those in need. We also knew the wider school community would share our passion to support this great cause.”
ShelterBox specialises in emergency shelter for people who have had to flee their homes because of conflict or disaster. As well as tents and other types of shelter, ShelterBox provides essential items like water filters, mosquito nets, and solar lights, training, and cash assistance so people can repair or rebuild their homes.
The class fundraising initiative was launched in September 2024, at the start of the school year, and will run until the end of the summer term. In just a few months, chocolate coins made by the pupils have been spotted in Texas, Australia, London, Paris and Prague.
Community Fundraising Assistant at ShelterBox, John Stanbury says: “It’s been so wonderful hearing about the fundraising efforts and adventures of the students involved in Patton’s Pounds.
“The chocolate coins look delicious, and I’m not surprised to hear they are being snapped up by people at the airport and in the local community.
“From an idea in the classroom, the money raised by the chocolate coins is not only supporting another fantastic community initiative in Ryan’s Cookie Box but having a global impact through ShelterBox’s work around the world. It just shows what a difference we can all make.”
ShelterBox turns 25 this year and relies heavily on public donations to fund its responses to disasters across the world. It has supported more than three million people in around 100 countries since it was founded in 2000. The charity is currently supporting people displaced by conflict in the Middle East as well as by crises in Chad, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Somalia.
The students at Mitchell House are already working hard to raise money for their next cause and will support different charities throughout the year.
For more information about ShelterBox visit shelterbox.org.
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Notes to Editors
Images and captions included
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About ShelterBox
ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and other essential items to families who have lost their homes to disasters. With operational headquarters in Cornwall, the charity also has 13 affiliate organisations worldwide.
The charity has been Rotary International’s project partner in disaster relief since 2012. ShelterBox has supported more than three million people since it was founded in 2000. www.shelterbox.org.
