On 21st January 2026, Westminster was buzzing with young voices, craft activities, and ambitions for change. We celebrated 25 years of Send My Friend To School with schoolchildren, MPs and supporters at a special event at Portcullis House in London.

“The children have been looking forward to this event for weeks,” said teacher Rosemary from Torriano Primary School, one of three schools invited to the celebration. “They have so many ideas to share!”

Over a few action-packed hours, we heard from members of parliament, civil society leaders, students, and Send My Friend Champions. Many of our speakers highlighted the importance of funding education and mobilising grassroots support.

Rosemary O’ Brien from Torriano Primary School. 

The power of children for change

Politicians at the event spoke about how effective Send My Friend’s campaigns have been over the past 25 years.

“I am so inspired by the children’s letters and demands and dedication to the cause,” said Fawzia Koofi, former MP deputy speaker of the National Assembly of Afghanistan.

She spoke eloquently to the schoolchildren and other attendees, describing how vital education is to a free and fair society. “Leaving any child behind is leaving every child behind,” she concluded. 

Bambos Charalambous MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global Education, agreed. 

“Send My Friend is a fantastic campaigning organisation for young people. I’m so proud of its advocacy and ability to communicate,” he said. “It has lots of support among MPs, and we’ll keep making the case for education.”

Fawzia Koofi, former MP and deputy speaker of the National Assembly of Afghanistan.

Bambos Charalambous MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global Education. 

Making equality part of education

Getting more children involved in campaigning was a major theme for speakers at the event. 

“Send My Friend To School has become part of who we are and part of how we help children understand the world around them,” said Rosemary O’Brien, teacher at Torriano Primary School. “It empowers children, gives them confidence, and shows them that their voice can make a change.”

We also heard from Send My Friend Champions past and present at the celebration.

“I wanted to contribute to something bigger than myself,” said Davi, an SMF Champion at Merstham Park School. “Send My Friend To School gave me an opportunity to do so.”

Davi, Bella, and Lana from Merstham Park school.

The morning ended with a special moment: 

gathered by the Mandela statue to discuss why education matters to them. This full-circle moment reminded everyone of when Send My Friend young people joined Nelson Mandela on the stage at Make Poverty History in 2005. As part of the day’s campaigning activity, young people were invited to add their names to an open letter to the UK Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Minister for International Development, calling on the government to protect global education funding and stand up for equitable, inclusive quality education for all children. This youth‑led letter, developed with the Youth Advisory Board at Save the Children UK, stresses that “young people have the power to change the world” and urges decision‑makers to take young voices seriously as part of creating meaningful, lasting change.

Save the Children’s Youth advisory board and Send my Friend’s campaign champions. 

Send my Friend’s Campaign Champions.

The next 25 years

Send My Friend is in the second year of our latest campaign, Invest In My Friend’s Learning. We’re asking the UK Government to reprioritise and protect funding for global education—with school children at the forefront of our work.