Fundraising Fun - Spring 2021

As Spring arrives and we launch ourselves into a brave new season, we continue to work towards a compassionate new world where the connections between people around the world are fostered and respected. Education is the cornerstone of creating a world where we all thrive, and to reach the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 we need to expand the reach of our projects, so we can help more children access education. To make this happen, we need you to invest in education.


The story of what we do is told through our projects. These projects are designed by educators around the world to solve the direct problems they face in a sustainable way. The Foundation facilitates these projects to get them started and become sustainable.



Access to Education

In rural areas some children walk a long way to school every day, sometimes up to 5 miles each way. If a child walks 50 miles per week and the school terms add up to 18 weeks, that’s 900 miles a year. That’s the equivalent of walking the entire length of the U.K. every year. 

I (Lucy Lee) wanted to know what that would be like, so I decided to walk or cycle 50 miles per week on a (Covid safe and virtual) Conqueror Challenge from Lands End to John O’Groats which is 1083 miles. It takes me 3hrs 30mins to walk 10 miles (although I need a break in the middle so it’s more like 4 hours!) that’s a lot of time in the day on top of school and other work that children might help with. It takes me 1hour and 30mins to cycle the same distance, and uses a lot less energy. 

The teachers in these remote schools in The Gambia are very keen for every child who walks a long way to school to have a bicycle so that they can get there on time and not be too tired to study. That’s why I’m doing this challenge as a fundraising activity. I’m aiming to raise money for 100 bicycles. Find out how many miles I have gone, and how many bikes I’ve raised money for so far on my fundraising page here.

Education Dialogue

The most powerful way to understand the challenges to accessing education is to talk to someone who has had these challenges themselves. When this is made as a documentary film, then more people can understand and be moved by the situations that prevent access to education. Until we have heard these stories, it’s just numbers on a page. Stories give us the human connection, and the urgency to do something about it.


That’s why we are showing a series of inspiring films over the coming months that help us to connect and understand others, and are moving testaments of hope that we all need right now. These films rekindle the spark of the importance of education for everyone everywhere. You can register to watch the films here:


I Am Belmaya, and a Live Q&A with director Sue Carpenter

This documentary follows an uneducated young Dalit woman’s transformational journey from subjugated wife to award-winning documentary filmmaker.


Madan Sara, by Etant Dupain

A documentary telling the stories of the women known as Madan Sara in Haiti who work tirelessly to buy, distribute, and sell food in markets through the country. Despite facing intense hardship and social stigma, they work to put their children through school and house their families.


Emu Runner, by Imogen Thomas

The story of an 8-year-old indigenous Australian girl dealing with her mother’s death by forging a bond with a wild emu. This heart-warming family film will educate and motivate the audience to learn more about children reaching their potential while overcoming adversity.


Resources for Educators

We have hosted 25 Life Long Learning webinars now, and they have evolved into 3 themes; Supporting Teaching and Learning, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Creativity and Entrepreneurship. We have been so grateful to the many educators who have given their time freely to promote learning and personal development with us.


The feedback so far is that the webinars have been a useful resource for educators and they have also helped to raise awareness of the digital divide experienced by learners around the world. The funds raised from these webinars support the learning resource centres, literacy resources and projects to combat the digital divide such as supplying solar radios to students in The Gambia during lockdown.


We have more great webinars coming up so please book onto them here.


We believe education gives people choices and that is why it is our mission to share learning at every opportunity.


Something Good to Share

You might have noticed on social media that the Foundation has set up a charity gift shop, which you can find here.


These are the perfect gifts for anyone who is looking for sustainable giving. A gift that has no plastic packaging, no transport costs, doesn’t take up space, and will never be an unwanted gift. These gifts keep on giving and each one has environmental sustainability build into it, as well as the ‘fishing rod’ of being able to access education.


This morning Ann, our CEO, was amazed to receive a gift certificate in her inbox. Someone had given her the gift of a bicycle, “the best gift possible” she said.



Buying someone the gift of education doesn’t have to be for a special celebration, it can be just because it is a good thing to do, and to say “thank you” to someone.


Thank you for reading this post, and please do get involved in any of the fundraising activities we are doing above. Please also leave a comment to tell us what fundraising activities you have enjoyed with us so far.


Steve Sinnott • April 20, 2021

UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris

By Ann Beatty • September 25, 2026
A moment to be proud of and a reminder of why young people’s voices matter. Today, artwork created by students from UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, alongside artwork from young people in other countries. What an amazing opportunity for our students to have their creativity, ideas and hopes represented on an international stage. For me, this is what UNESCO ASPnet is about: creating opportunities for young people to connect across cultures, express themselves creatively, learn from one another and imagine a better future together. The power of young people’s creativity: their voices being part of an international conversation about education, peace, culture and our shared future. UNESCO’s programme for Pope Leo XIV’s visit specifically focused on education, artistic creation, AI, information integrity and peace. The work was part of a mural that brings together 80 original creations marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary, produced as part of the "International Youth for Peace" competition organized by France TV and UNESCO.

Change Starts with a Will: Leave a Legacy That Helps Transform Education

September 7, 2026
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide.  https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.

What happens when creativity, young people, education and community come together?

By Ann Beatty • August 25, 2026
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope.