Could You Stay Silent All Day? Cornwall Pupils Did – and Raised £943 for Charity

A day of silence in Torpoint

Pupils at Carbeile Junior School in Torpoint have raised an impressive £943 for international disaster relief charity ShelterBox after holding a sponsored silence.

The challenge was part of a Year 6 classroom topic on natural disasters, where students explored the effects of earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, floods and volcanic eruptions. While learning about how these disasters affect people across the world, the children discovered the work of Truro-based charity ShelterBox, which provides emergency shelter and essential aid in times of crisis.

Learning through silence

As part of the lesson, the pupils were asked to choose three items they would want if they were caught in a disaster. The discussion left a lasting impression, and when a later lesson focused on how to make a difference in the world, the children decided to raise money for ShelterBox.

Year 6 Team Leader, Lewis Webb, said:

“The work the charity does to support people in crisis had a lasting impact on the children.
During another lesson on how we can make a difference in the world, the children chose to raise money to support ShelterBox.
The children were very proud, and we are very proud of them for raising such a wonderful amount for ShelterBox. Through their hard work and dedication, they have managed to raise an incredible £943 for the life-changing work ShelterBox does, which is inspiring the next generation to think about how they can help others.”

To make it work, the children’s lessons were adapted for the day so they could continue learning without speaking.

📷People are without shelter, clean water, food, and medical care after a powerful 7.7M earthquake struck Myanmar. Credit Kaung My

Where the money goes

ShelterBox, which marks its 25th anniversary this year, has helped more than three million people across around 100 countries. The charity provides emergency shelter and essential items like water filters, mosquito nets and solar lights, and adapts its aid depending on the situation and region affected.

The charity is currently responding to the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, where thousands of people are living in the open or in overcrowded displacement sites. ShelterBox is working with a local organisation to provide shelters that can withstand the rainy season and offer shade from intense heat. These include more robust timber or bamboo frames with corrugated iron roofs.

Community Fundraising Assistant John Stanbury praised the students’ efforts, saying:

“Silence is a powerful, thoughtful act, but it is also challenging. To push through your limit when the urge to speak is strong, especially when surrounded by your friends in school, is a big achievement.
We are grateful to all the pupils who raised so much money in this determined way and for their family and loved ones for helping them to support those affected by conflict or disaster.
Their example inspires me to take a moment of silence and think of the life changing impact their support will have on those who have lost so much, wherever the need is greatest.”

ShelterBox is also currently supporting people affected by conflict in places like Gaza and Sudan.

To find out more about the charity’s work, visit shelterbox.org.

📷Hundreds of thousands of people are without adequate shelter in Gaza and the need for good quality, durable, moveable tents is v