At the end of the Spring Term, pupils from Redcliffe Gardens School were honoured to be part of a welcoming party for His Royal Highness, Prince Charles who was visiting St Luke’s Church in Earls Court. HRH Prince Charles came to see the work being carried out by Rev. Dave Matthews and his team to support refugees being housed in the borough and to meet with the refugees and asylum seekers.
The Prince of Wales learned more about the work of the Refugee Response programme which supports people who have fled conflict and disaster worldwide including from Yemen, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan and, now, Ukraine.
The nursery and Pre-Prep of Redcliffe Gardens School is situated in the purpose-built undercroft of St Luke’s Church and the school is a very active supporter of the programme. On Monday evenings, the head, Mr Dunhill, has been teaching English to the refugees, and staff and parents from Redcliffe have been donating and helping to sort the clothes for distribution.
The school has raised much-needed funds to send to help the families left destitute by the war in Ukraine and all proceeds from its Easter disco – tickets sales, refreshments, and glow sticks! – went to the appeal.
Four lucky Redcliffe pupils were drawn from a ballot to meet Prince Charles along with Mr Dunhill and deputy head Mrs Glencross, and they were all very excited when HRH came to shake their hands and to say a few words. The party then went upstairs into the church to hear a short address by the Prince and to join in a prayer led by Rev. Dave Matthews for all those who have had to flee their countries.
In every respect this was a day to remember for the Redcliffe community.
