Charity challenge

On Tuesday evening, as a Prep Captain’s Challenge, Year 6 girls at Pipers Corner took on the task of hosting a pizza evening for their parents in their very own pop-up restaurant in the school’s Arts Centre Café.

The purpose of the evening was to raise money for the girls’ chosen charity, Rennie Grove Hospice Care. The charity provides care and support for adults and children diagnosed with cancer and other life-limiting illness. Every year through their 24/7 Hospice at Home service, Rennie Grove’s Family Support services and the range of Day Services at Grove House enable thousands of patients the choice to stay at home, surrounded by their families and friends.

Prior to the event the girls took control of the planning, deciding what they would make for their guests to eat, how everything would be presented and how they would entertain the diners. They also approached a range of local businesses asking them to donate small items which they could auction.

On the day the girls prepared the pizzas in advance, decorated the café and put together a programme of musical performances to entertain their parents as they enjoyed their food. The girls were impeccable hostesses, ensuring everyone had enough to eat and drink. A highlight of the event was an interactive game of Bingo which included table forfeits of running round the table every time a number ending in 3 was drawn and a Mexican wave each time a number ending in 8 appeared.

Following the Bingo it was time for the girls’ auction during which they demonstrated some excellent auctioneering skills encouraging the diners to bid for a range of interesting lots. There was no charge for the event, instead guests were asked to make donations in recognition of what they believed the price should be.

By the end of the night the girls had managed to raise an amazing £1372 from donations for the food, collection bucket contributions, the auction and the sale of Lupins grown by the School Gardening Club.

Deputy Head of Prep, Miss Eagles, who supported the girls to organise the event said, “I am so proud of the girls and their efforts this evening. I have been very impressed with their preparations for the Captain’s Challenge and how confident, organised and professional they were as a group. I am sure that Rennie Grove Hospice Care will be very pleased to receive the profits from the evening, an amount we hope to add to when we hold our House Days later this term.”