On Saturday 12 December a reception was held to celebrate 25 years of the Shiplake College Expedition Society. Hosted by previous members of the club, along with committed teachers Mrs Jenny Nunes and Mr Darius Bluck, the event looked back at experiences of previous expeditions. Old Viking George Lawley, and current pupil Carl Harris, dedicated time to creating and hosting the event, relishing the opportunity to share stunning photos with friends and family, as well as reminiscing on their challenging and rewarding trips to Africa.
Shiplake College, and in particular the Expedition Society, have long been avid supporters of Gap Africa, supporting projects of the charity who aim to build a better future for Kenyan communities through the relief of poverty and hardship. Chairman and founder of the charity, Marcel Wagner, also helped to organise and run the reception, which attracted a large turnout of those keen to remember life-changing visits to Kenya.
The reception, as well as being the ideal time to reflect on experiences and look back over the work of Gap Africa, also aimed to raise money for the charity. Photographs taken on visits to Africa by members of the Expedition Society were printed onto canvasses and put on display around the Tithe Barn. Visitors were also able to purchase a framed print or canvas, raising money for the charity and taking home a lasting memory of the trip.
The event also provided the ideal opportunity to look at plans for the future of Gap Africa, who take on a myriad of different initiatives from building classrooms and digging wells, to sourcing second hand clothes to be used as uniforms. Sales from the prints and photographs raised in excess of £400 for the charity; a fantastic sum for an incredibly worthwhile cause.
Over 50 Old Vikings returned to the College for the reception, eager to view photos from past excursions and catch up with friends. George Lawley and Carl Harris, both of whom were instrumental in organising and running the afternoon, were thrilled with the outcome. George commented that ‘to see so many faces back, spanning such a range of year groups, was really exciting. People were wonderfully generous as well; we raised a great amount of money for the charity which gave us such phenomenal experiences in Africa.’ Gap Africa’s Marcel added that ‘it was a lovely day, and a lovely chance to catch up with familiar faces. We would like to offer our sincerest thanks to all who took the time and effort to arrange it; a splendid job indeed!’
