Students from St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Academy (SFX) in Woolton, have helped raise more than £70,000 for charities, upholding the school’s Xaverian values of making a difference and caring for others. 

 

During the 2024/25 academic year, all SFX year groups have fundraised for a charity of choice and have also come together as a school community during key points in the liturgical calendar to raise money and gather donations for Catholic charities that work across Liverpool and beyond.  

 

The three Catholic charities that SFX students across all year groups have fundraised for this year are: the Good Shepherd appeal for Nugent, that has been supported for 123 years by generations of schoolchildren across the Archdiocese of Liverpool; Micah Liverpool, the social justice charity set up by Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, and St Bride’s Church; and CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development), that works in some of the poorest communities across the world to end poverty and injustice.  

 

Jo Henney, chief executive of Nugent, said: “On behalf of everyone at Nugent, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the students, staff, and wider community of SFX for raising an incredible £871.20 in support of our 2025 Good Shepherd Appeal. The school’s efforts truly embody this year’s theme, ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.  

 

“Through students’ creativity, compassion, and generosity, they are helping us build brighter futures for individuals and families across the Liverpool City Region. We are so grateful for SFX’s continued support and proud to have them walking alongside us on this journey of hope.”  

 

From hosting whole school colour runs to foodbank appeals, students have combined their Catholic Social Teaching (CST) by focusing on SFX’s second key principle - the common good and the community.  

 

This principle forms the basis of all that the school does, by prioritising the wellbeing of entire communities to ensure all members of society have the conditions to flourish and live with dignity.  

 

Mr David Hayes, headteacher of St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Academy, said: “I am extremely proud of the SFX school community and all it has achieved this year to support those less fortunate and help raise awareness of key issues currently being faced within today’s society.  

 

“Looking after others and making a difference are important values at SFX as we strive to create meaningful relationships, not only with God and one another, but our wider community. Our students have shown themselves to be outstanding Catholic citizens and should be delighted with their efforts in raising such an incredible amount of money.”  

 

Individual year groups have also helped raise thousands of pounds for a range of local, national and international charities including South Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service, South Liverpool Foodbank, The Royal Liverpool Hospital Kidney Dialysis Unit, The Owen McVeigh Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Vietnamese charity Kianh Foundation.  

 

As SFX continues to grow and thrive, the school community remains enthusiastic about the support it can provide to others, and it is currently selecting charities to support for next year.