Dinner with a Difference

Dinner with a Difference

Our Sixth Formers hosted an evening to remember — full of fun, food, and fundraising — raising nearly £18,000 for three charities in just one night.

Held on Tuesday 25th February, the event brought together 140 guests, including parents, students, and staff, for a night that combined good company with a good cause.

Each year, our Sixth Formers select one local, one national, and one international charity to support. Students pitch their chosen causes in assembly, and if more than three are put forward, a hustings is held to decide the final selection. This year, three students stepped up and made a strong case for their charities: Lakshmie (Rooh Foundation), Isla (Trekstock), and Lucia (Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors without Borders), below. They then spoken about them again at the dinner, helping guests connect with the reasons behind the fundraising.

Guests enjoyed a three-course meal at The Olympic, with the buzz of the raffle and silent auction adding to the lively atmosphere. Prizes, generously donated by Harrodian families, included standout experiences such as a day in Guy Chambers' Sleeper Sounds recording studio, a private film screening at the Olympic Cinema, Chelsea match tickets with the Headmaster, a Jackson® DK3XR HSS Electric Guitar, and more — from spa treatments to signed books and concert tickets.

Altogether, the dinner, raffle, and auction raised an impressive £17,850, with £5,950 going to each of the three charities to support their ongoing work.

But the evening wasn’t just about raising money. It also felt like a meaningful moment in the Sixth Form calendar. One parent described it as "a great combination of a formal (with a lowercase ‘f’) school event and a celebration of the Harrodian community at its best." She added that it felt like "a bit of a guilty pleasure on a school night at The Olympic," but also "a valuable part of our Upper Sixth’s rite of passage."

Although the event was open to both Upper and Lower Sixth, it held particular significance for those in their final year — a shared experience to remember as part of their last chapter at Harrodian.

Lucia (Upper Sixth), who spoke in support of Médecins Sans Frontières, said she enjoyed being surrounded by friends and family, all united by a common goal. "It was fun seeing the bids come in and finding out who won what. The food was amazing too," she shares.

Explaining her choice of charity, she said she picked one that helps everyone, regardless of who they are or what they believe. "I chose a charity that puts people first — above politics."

A big thank you to everyone who attended, donated, or helped behind the scenes and to the Olympic Studios for their support. Your generosity made the night a real success.