World Aids Day was marked at St Benedict’s School at Ealing in West London by pupils and staff with a massive effort to raise money for the Raphael Centre in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, which works with orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/Aids.
Pickering House was responsible for organising all the activities and Katarina Bartekova, a housemistress, had an enthusiastic team manning stalls and encouraging passers-by to part with their money.
The day, December 1, kicked off at morning break with a sale of cakes, sweets and soft drinks in the Cloisters while budding salespeople roved the corridors selling credit card wallets, raffle tickets and other goodies. Staff provided their childhood photos for a “Guess the Teacher” contest.
At lunch break in the Reading Room a well-frequented auction saw seven lots sold off at way above their reserve prices.
Dai Barnes, head of ICT at the school, was Master of Ceremonies, expertly squeezing out the last pound from some very eager bidders. Pride of place went to a ladybird pillow which sold for £25.
All the activities raised a grand total of £915.21, which almost doubled last year’s total.
