Although teenagers are sometimes dismissed as unmotivated or lacking in passion, this could not be further from the truth. Numerous schools across the UK have student-led fundraisers in the form of sponsored walks, sponsored silences, and the old favourite; the bake sale. 

However, 16-year-old Max Enticott chose a different form of fundraising when he decided to start a campaign to raise money for Cancer Research UK and MacMillan due to a “close personal experience” with the illness in his family. With support from the school, Enticott decided to have his head shaved to raise money and awareness in a whole school assembly; several of his friends also partook in this to further raise awareness. 

Students and teachers alike were reportedly supportive of the campaign, and Enticott raised over £2,500 in the campaign to combat cancer. When asked, he said he chose to involve the school due to “the huge amount of people both directly at school - teachers and students - but also families at home, who may benefit from the ‘BraveTheShave’ campaign”. 

When asked what encouragement he would give to other teenagers contemplating partaking in similar fundraising campaigns, Enticott added, “it’s important to fight and strive for what’s important to you”. 

The campaign, watched by all students, was an event that brought the student body together through both the shaving and the following bake sale, but also through Enticott’s friends, who stood with him and also had their heads shaved. This spirit of community and fighting for what they’re passionate about is what is so fantastic about student-led fundraisers. These fundraisers allow students to unite over common issues they feel strongly about and to make a difference in the world, supported by teachers and parents. Their prevalence in school communities brings students together and allows them to find causes they are passionate about, and such events ought to be celebrated and recognised as proof that teenagers are passionate, motivated and dedicated to causes they care about.