The jangling of the tins and rattling of the buckets grew more incessant as the day wore on. The school corridors echoed with and imitation of "Who Will Buy" from the musical, Oliver! Careless trespassers into the halls needed all of their agility to slalom past the knots of charitable peddlars, and promises of an extra treat at lunchtime evaporated as pockets were emptied of their loose change.
Competition and generosity combined to form a powerfully irresistable duo: together they fought villainy, toppled corruption, and saved lives during St. Edmund Arrowsmith's Flexible Days. As children and staff exchanged money for cuddly toys, raffle tickets and badges, dogs were being trained, families received some comfort during long goodbyes, and African children were given better resources for learning.
Celebrating St. Edmund Arrowsmith's fifty-year history as a community of faith, as well as observing our good fortune to have health and luxuries, the R. E. Department challenged its group of pupils to raise money for five charities traditionally associated with the school. To spur the pupils on, a competitive spirit was fostered, and independence was encouraged to devise creative ways in which to advertise and raise money for each charity.
Fortunately, the generous Catholic ethos of the school ensured that, as well as notepads and cuddly toys being sold, staff members volunteered their dignity to be targets in 'pie-throwing contests' or subjects of waxing pain. At break and lunch, delicious aromas tickled the noses of painted faces.
The resulting total was a shining testament to everyone's efforts and kindness. Over £1000 was raised for CAFOD, St. Edmund Arrowsmith's partner school in Soweto, Wigan & Leigh Hospice, the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, and the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. Consequently, fittingly for the Flexible Days' theme, the pupils involved were rewarded with a celebration of their own at the end of the day.
In a year of unprecedented fundraising efforts, it would be somewhat expected that the school community would be suffering from charity-fatigue. Not so. The informality and celebratory spirit of this year's Flexible Days invoked an atmosphere of charity and co-operation and goodwill usually only apparent in our larger society at Christmas. But instead, the gifts would come early. As heavy buckets were upended, the traders packed away their offerings, and the cacophony of competing voices dwindled to silence, a change for the better was on the horizon for many.
