Jewish school raises over £300,000 in 36-hour campaign

With five hours to go, North West London Jewish Day School supporters had raised more than £300,000 of the £375,000 fundraising needed to trigger donors’ promise to double to contributions.

By 4pm on Monday, the Jewish primary school in Brent had raised £304,000, but matching donations only kick in if the total gets to £375,000, making a total £750,000, which is what the school says it needs to secure its future.

The nail-biting countdown was set up after an enormous 36-hour community fundraising was made amid warnings that cuts could affect its Jewish Studies curriculum. An incredible £100,000 was raised in the first hour.

“Instead of hosting a fundraising dinner, North West supporters have chosen to throw all their efforts behind this ambitious match-funding campaign,” said Shari Ryness, a parent whose daughter studies at the school.

The funds will go towards the state school’s Special Educational Needs (SEN) support, an in-house counsellor, as well as staff and technology to support the Jewish Studies curriculum, which is currently funded exclusively by donations.

In 2014 the Willesden Lane primary school converted to an academy and was graded ‘Good’ following its latest inspection in 2017.

See the fundraising page here: https://www.charityextra.com/nwljds/1903