A team of sixth formers from Salesian College Farnborough travelled to Basingstoke on 30th March 2017 to take part in a "Dragon's Den" style competition organised by Caritas and the Schools Office in the Diocese of Portsmouth.

All Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in the Diocese were invited to design a project which would help the local community by putting into practice the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. Three primary schools and three secondary schools prepared bids and presented them to the "Dragons", who were in fact very supportive and un-scary, in the modern church hall of St Bede's parish in Basingstoke.

The Diocesan 'Dragons' on the panel were Fr Mark Hogan. Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation, Catherine Hobbs, Director for Education, Kevin Gallagher, Director of Caritas Portsmouth, and Pat Feighery, President of the Catenians in Southampton. The schools taking part had been working on their projects since October.

The team from Salesian College Farnborough outlined their plan to give elderly people, initially from the two local Catholic parishes, the opportunity of individual help in using computers, tablets, smart phones and other electronic equipment. The pensioners would be helped with transport to the College and would be treated to tea and light refreshments after each session.

After listening to each team's presentation and drawing out some of the details through careful questioning, the Dragons allocated grants to each of the participating schools. The Farnborough group, consisting of Holly, Charlotte, Henry and James, received a cheque for £450 which should finance their project for at least the next two years.

Special thanks go to the Portsmouth Diocese, for organising the event, and to the Catenians, who provided mentors during the planning stage and also raised over £1100 towards the investment fund of £2500 available on the day.

Fr Pat Sherlock SDB