Getting Social for Gap Africa

On Friday 15 January, a social was held at Shiplake College for pupils from Queen Anne’s School, Caversham. As part of a fundraising scheme, Skipwith House Charity and Event Captains Carl Harris and Anna Davies arranged the event, which aimed to raise money for the charity Gap Africa. Ten Shiplake Sixth Formers were also there to help out on the night, along with Head of College Greg Cooke, lending a hand to help raise money for the charity. The event included music and dancing.

Gap Africa is an international charity that aims to reduce poverty and increase the quality of life in African countries. Shiplake College’s Expedition Society have strong links with the charity, and arrange an excursion each summer to visit Kenya, in order to see the work being done. Deputy Head of College Anna Davies attended the trip in the summer of 2015, and has since instigated numerous initiatives to raise more money for the worthy cause. Instrumental in arranging this social, Anna said of the event that ‘we were all thrilled; the turnout was great and I’m over the moon with the amount we’ve raised for Gap Africa. Seeing the work that they’re doing in person really emphasises how important it is, and I’m touched that so many people in Shiplake are eager to spread that message and work hard to help raise funds.’

Over 75 pupils from Shiplake and Queen Anne’s attended the social, which was held in the Tithe Barn. Tickets were purchased for the evening, and that, along with the sales from soft drinks, helped the group to raise over £390 for their chosen charity. Miss Sian Pearson, accompanied by a group of teaching staff, helped to ensure that the evening ran smoothly. The group had their own private DJ – Year 13 pupil Carl Harris, who kept the students entertained all evening! Year 13 Andy Turnill was on the drinks, and the group would like to thank participants from Queen Anne’s for their support and company on the evening.