Plucky Arundel pupils’ profits to help Ebola victims

THIS band of entrepreneurial pupils used every last second of their school term to raise a record-breaking sum for African children affected by the Ebola crisis.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Jul 2015, 15:02 BST

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Left to right: Harry and William Simpson, nine and 12, with James Charnock and Finley Heseltine SUS-150723-134949001Left to right: Harry and William Simpson, nine and 12, with James Charnock and Finley Heseltine SUS-150723-134949001
Left to right: Harry and William Simpson, nine and 12, with James Charnock and Finley Heseltine SUS-150723-134949001

Arundel CE Primary School pupils Harry Simpson, Finley Heseltine, James Charnock, all nine, and former pupil William Simpson, 12, were running their charity tuck shop on the final day of term, yesterday (Wednesday, July 22).

They’ve been selling lollies and sweets all to help one of their sister schools in Sierra Leone which has been blighted by the Ebola pandemic.

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And their effort this year has raised an astounding profit of £2057.45p

William, who now attends Lancing College, still made a determined effort to be part of this year’s campaign, after being part of the team which founded the tuck shop.

Speaking of the total cash raised, William said: “It’s astounding really. We thought that was too high a mountain to climb at the start.

“Halfway though we were really didn’t think we would make our target of £2,000. Then in the summer, it just seemed to boost.”

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The team of tiny tycoons spent hours before and after school buying stock, selling it and calculating their profits.

This year smashed 2014’s total of £1,307.06.

The children were once again helped by retired businessman Mike Matthews, of Beltane Close, East Preston.

Mr Matthews guided them on how to run a successful business. He said: “I’m incredibly proud of them. They took over £4,000. For a little school of 200 children, that’s amazing.”

On a good day, the children sold 80 to 140 items a day, ranging from 20p to 30p each.

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On a Tuesday they would get in extra early to set up shop, with William joining whenever he could.

All the cash raised will be going to humanitarian charity Education West Africa.

It will pay for hand sanitation equipment for children at Arundel’s sister school in Mano Dasse.

Year six teacher Donna Jagger, who has visited the impoverished African nation feared the worst when the Ebola pandemic struck.

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“We didn’t really know how bad it was in that area because we lost all communications,” she said. “We have since found out that it was pretty critical.”

She wished to thank everyone that donated, from parents, pupils and staff, to St Nicholas Church, in London Road, Arundel.

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Related topics:Arundel