BBC Children in Need is the BBC's UK corporate charity. Thanks to the support of the public, they are able to make a real difference to the lives of children all across the UK.
The school pipes and drums set themselves a challenge to raise funds for this most worthy cause. Ideas on how to do this started flooding in with the weird, the wonderful and the, “no we are definitely not doing that” all being suggested at one of our band meetings. Finally it was decided to hold a pipeathon! This would involve playing instruments for 12 hours during which time other activities would be taking place. In order to preserve the sanity of the local population and not disrupt lessons; a minimum of one piper or drummer would be required to play at any one time. Each person that volunteered would have to play for 15 minutes non-stop with the next person taking over straight away.
The day started with Bucket shakers dressed in Pudesy Bear ears and tee shirts inviting people to donate as they either dropped off pupils at school or on their way to lessons. Playing started at 9am and the changeovers went very smoothly. Whilst this was going on members of the band even took part in Windlesham Remembrance Parade. Other activities included the school remembrance rehearsal after which the band stayed and played a selection of tunes including drummers beating, as the bucket shakers once again invited parents, and those collecting pupils, to donate.
The evening section included a table football competition, a quiz, the wii challenge and a massed Irish dance season, which Mrs. Walker; yes she did it as well, thoroughly enjoyed! In between this the entire band was blasting out their repertoire. The evening finished at 9pm.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Moss for allowing us to do this in the first place, Col. Bradwell OBE, Mrs. Lewis and Mrs. Forster for their advice and guidance, Mrs. Duffield for the wonderful cake and support throughout the evening along with Mr. and Mrs. Fox who are great supporters of the band and finally; Mrs. Walker for putting up with me and giving up her free time to work with the pipes and drums.
The biggest thank you must go to the pipes and drums. They came together to give their time and fantastic effort to make the day a huge success. Everyone was involved from year 7 to year 13 and it certainly was the biggest and best team building exercise we have ever attempted.
Total raised £1803.33
Well done everyone.
Mr C McCready
Bandmaster