On Tuesday, 12^th January, Warminster School went about its everyday business: students attended their classes in reasonable good mood, sporting fixtures were contested and enjoyed and no doubt there were the usual occasional grumblings about lunch: indeed everything was normal.

Or so it seemed! Some 7,000 km away in a corner of the Pacific, everything was far from normal as an earthquake of devastating proportions attacked the already decimated Haitian island. As the earth’s fury roared throughout the Pacific landscape nearly three hundred thousand people perished, with many more thousands injured and over one million left homeless and helpless.

As the rest of the world woke to the news of this apocalyptic event, it became very clear, very quickly that help – and lots of it – would be required. When one human suffers humanity suffers. And so sprang into action those who could and would help, including our own students, parents and staff at Warminster School.

Within a week, the students and staff had mobilised and performed an ad hoc collection from tutor groups. Within the space of three days over £500 was raised for the British Red Cross in Haiti. Thereafter, lunch was served with a limited (but equally nutritious!) menu and this raised over £350 for the Haiti appeal. The response from all at Warminster School hitherto was greatly appreciated but there was a general feeling that more was required to help alleviate the terrible sufferings of our Haitian friends.

Then, one afternoon over lunch, Mrs Anne Bainger and her colleagues chatted and it quickly transpired that there was an opportunity to open up some sort of “charity shop” in a vacant unit in Warminster Mall. Calls were made, people were cajoled into helping and within a short time the Haitian Charity Outlet began to take form. The shop unit was secured from the 12^th to the 15^th of February and now the work began in earnest.

Anne, accompanied by her trusted and busy band of helpers, which included school staff, parents, friends and neighbours, quickly contacted the local press to drum up support, letters were sent via Parentmail, and word spread throughout the wider school community about the Haitian Charity Outlet and who would donate what and volunteer when.

Within the next week, donations were collected via the school or left at the shop, heavy furniture was painstakingly carried and collected (thanks Mr Todres!), and slowly but surely the shop moved from fiction to reality – all ready for the grand opening on Thursday 13^th February.

Initially, the shop was intended to open only until Saturday 15^th February. However, such was the demand for its goods (the economics teacher in me!) and the amount of goods that remained unsold, that it was decided that the shop should remain open for the following week.

When the doors on the Haiti Charity Outlet were finally bolted shut, lights turned off and money counted, Anne and her faithful bunch were delighted to learn that the total amount donated to the British Red Cross from Warminster School would be £5, 381.51: a terrific amount I hope you’ll agree.

A huge thank-you has to be extended to anyone and everyone who helped in anyway towards the Haitian appeal. Particular thanks go to Tom Newton, Ryan West, Mrs Haines, Mrs Coxall, Mrs Newton, and Mrs Goldsworthy, whose generosity and understanding are greatly appreciated. But a special mention must go to Anne Bainger, who watched the fledging idea gather momentum and finally come to fruition. Suffice to say that the greatest thanks will undoubtedly come from the Haitian people themselves.

Mr Stephen Shields

Economics and Business Studies Department