25/09/2026
Our Charity of the Year: Billy’s Battalion 💜
We’re delighted to announce that Parkside’s Charity of the Year for 2026–27 is
Billy’s Battalion.
As part of their English lessons, our Year 8 boys researched charities they felt Parkside should support before preparing and delivering persuasive pitches to put their case forward.
Three charities made it through to the final, with pupils across the school hearing the pitches and casting their votes. Following a powerful and very personal speech from Josh, who has a connection to Billy and his family, the vote was unanimous: Billy’s Battalion.
Billy was a young boy from nearby Bookham who loved superheroes. On 10 November 2023, he was diagnosed with DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma), a rare and aggressive childhood brain tumour. Throughout everything he faced, Billy would say: “I am brave, I am strong, and I can do scary things.”
Just 141 days after his diagnosis, and days before his 5th birthday, Billy sadly died on 31 March 2024. His parents, Ellie and Jamie, established Billy’s Battalion in his memory, raising awareness of DIPG, funding vital research and clinical trials, and supporting other families affected by the disease. Fittingly, Billy’s love of superheroes lives on through the charity and its superhero identity. ❤️💛
We’re incredibly proud of all our Year 8 finalists, who spoke with confidence, compassion and purpose, and of Josh for sharing Billy’s story so thoughtfully.
Now the fundraising begins! Through House Charity Days, bake and book sales, m***i days and more, our Parkside community will be getting behind Billy’s Battalion throughout the year.
We can’t wait to see what our pupils can achieve together for this very special local charity. 💜
