St Mary's Calne
On Friday 23rd February, the Music Department and student-led Charity Committee collaborated to host this year’s Charity Open Mic Night. Family, friends and students were able to purchase tickets, and all the revenue raised will go straight to Lyme Disease UK. The evening began at 6.30pm will drinks and canapés in the entrance of the Theatre, kindly donated by the PGSM, and catered by Sarah Marshall from Piglet’s Kitchen, a local business.
The event provided girls with an opportunity to perform any song they wished in a relaxed and supportive environment and there was everything from musical theatre, Taylor Swift and Disney. Performers were accompanied by a live band, led by Miss Arthur. Thank you to Miss Arthur for her support in organising the event.
Girls across all year groups got involved, and a special shoutout to Suri Z (LIV) whose rendition of Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid was especially beautiful and moving.
It was also really special as the Watling family were in attendance. LDUK has an important personal connection to the school; alumna Yasmin Watling (2017 Leaver) was bitten by a tick when aged 19 and has struggled with a chronic form of the disease ever since.
In December 2024, Mr Watling and three others will take on the race branded the ‘World’s Toughest Row’ across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to Antigua in aid of Lyme Disease UK. The charity does so much great work to raise awareness for Lyme Disease, which isn't always on the radar of the medical community, resulting in long delays in diagnosis and treatment. Mr Watling concluded the evening with a very moving and informative speech about the impact of Lyme Disease of his family and specifically Yasmin.
Please donate to support the charity via the Enthuse link below:
https://lymediseaseuk.enthuse.com/pf/stmaryscalnecharityweek2024
Claire Dodd, LVI