Zambia fundraising dinner & dance 2011
On 19th November 2011, a Dinner & Dance was held at the Selsdon Park Hotel to raise funds to pay for the annual shipment of shoes and trainers to the Ng’ombeSchool in Zambia.
This project began in 2002 when Sharon Andrews left her post as a PE Teacher at Harris Academy to work in Zambia. On her annual return to the UK, she came to visit us, was astounded by the wealth of unclaimed trainers and shoes in SIC and asked what would happen if they still remained unclaimed at the end of the term. We explained that we keep lost property for a term but if items are without identification and are not claimed, they would be donated to a charity shop.
The children in the Ng’ombe School are predominantly orphans and do not have shoes. Sharon asked if the trainers were still unclaimed, could we donate some for her school. At that time, she managed to take enough for half a football team! Those who wore trainers in the first half, then gave the trainers to those children who had played bare footed.
So our story begins!
For several years thereafter, we asked students and staff to donate any unwanted footwear which we then shipped in barrels to the Ng’ombe School. This made an enormous difference to the lives of these children. Many Harris students will have seen our recent assembly which showed video footage of the delivery and distribution of the trainers and shoes.
This year, in order to raise the money to pay for the barrels and shipment, a Dinner & Dance was organised which was amazingly successful! It was very well attended by 152 guests and we were very proud to have Sharon Andrews as our ‘Guest of Honour’! She is now back teaching in this country but makes regular trips back to the Ng’ombe School, the most recent being during the October Half Term. She continually organises fundraising events herself and, with some of the proceeds, actually sponsors a whole year group at the school! It costs just £20 to pay for a child’s education for a year.
We were very grateful to those people who kindly donated prizes for the raffle which included Dinner & overnight stay at Selsdon Park Hotel, a tandem paragliding flight, a sports massage, champagne, wine, a mini facial at a Spa, to name just a few! In addition, we received monetary donations and these were very much appreciated. Thank you!
The total raised was a staggering £1660!!
It was a fantastic night and we have received so many positive compliments and requests to do it all again next year so the date has already been booked!
Thank you again to all who supported us with this project.
Mrs Deakin - SIC
