Fundraising triumph for Taunton School students as cricketing legends take centre stage

Former England captains Graham Gooch and Mike Gatting helped a group of entrepreneurial students at Taunton School raise almost £9,000 for a new bursary.

The cricketing legends talked about their illustrious careers with BBC commentator Pat Murphy in front of a packed audience at a £60-a-head fundraising dinner at the school.

The whole evening was organized by a group of Year 13 students as part of their BTEC Business course curriculum.

“I am extremely proud of each and every one of my students,” said Head of Business and Economics, Peter Stoddart. “The evening was a huge success. Every last detail from menus, car parking, auction and raffle prizes was organized by the students themselves.

“They even acted as Master of Ceremonies on the night.”

The money raised – almost £9,000 – will now go towards a bursary for future students hoping to study the BTEC Business course.

“The legacy these students leave behind in funding this bursary is one that will continue to inspire generations to come,” said Mr Stoddart.

Gatting and Gooch are two of England’s greatest batsmen and have an impressive legacy of 197 Test Matches and 13,300 runs between them. Their appearance at Taunton School followed a series of sell-out events across the UK.

Auction prizes included an Ashes 2005 shirt signed by Freddie Flintoff, a cricket bat signed by England cricketer Jack Leach, a shirt from fellow England player, Somerset captain and former Taunton School pupil Tom Abell as well as a shirt signed by footballer Harry Kane.

Taunton is one of the top 100 cricketing schools in the UK, with both Taunton Prep and Senior Schools included in The Cricketer Schools Guide 2023.