On the 22nd of November 2013, St Raphaela’s Primary School Stillorgan, Co. Dublin organised a ‘Non-Uniform Day’ to raise as much money as possible to go directly towards the ChildFund Philippines Emergency Fund.

The pupils of St. Raphaela’s were aware of the unfortunate situation in the Philippines caused by Typhoon Haiyan and so decided to take action. Two girls in particular Clare and Afric need a special mention as it was them who approached the school principal Sr. Mary Corr and proposed the Non-Uniform Fundraiser.

This is not the first time that the pupils and staff of St. Raphaela’s have helped ChildFund. Indeed for the last number of years they have participated strongly in the Small Voices Big Dreams Survey.

However the reason ChildFund was chosen this time as the charity for the ‘Non Uniform Day’ was the certainty that 100% of all funds donated to the ChildFund Philippines Emergency Fund would go directly to the fund, with nothing being deducted i.e. administration charges etc.

The process of a ‘Non Uniform Day’ is simple yet effective – each pupil is asked to bring a suggested donation of €2 to school on the particular day in return for being allowed to wear their own clothes.

There are approximately 350 pupils in St. Raphaela’s and amazingly they collectively donated an amazing €1,634.41!, far in excess of what they expected to collect, and showing us the huge generosity and kindness of the children and families of this school.

To show our appreciation of this huge accomplishment by St. Raphaela’s our CEO, Michael Kiely attended an assembly to thank all those involved in this successful fundraiser.