A wave of Scottish generosity swept through London on Friday, November 28, when members and friends of the Baltic Caledonian Society gathered for their annual Caledonia Society St Andrew’s Day Lunch — and raised in excess of an extraordinary GHS 250,000 in support of St Nicholas Charity School in Tema New Town, Ghana.
Held at the historic London Scottish Regiment headquarters, the event blended tradition, charity and heartfelt purpose. Guests were welcomed by the stirring sound of bagpipes before indulging in a classic Scottish spread: fresh smoked salmon, haggis, neeps and tatties, rounded off with a selection of fine Scottish cheeses.
But the true highlight came when Denis Petropoulos, led a spirited raffle and charity auction in aid of the St. Nicholas Charity Foundation, which runs St Nicholas Preparatory School in Tema. Prizes ranged from holidays in apartments and villas in Athens during Posidonia Maritime week, item donated by the famous Greek designed Celia Kritharioti to a Chairman’s luncheon at the Baltic Exchange.
According to organisers, the atmosphere — aided, they joked, by Scotland’s “finest national lubricant”, whisky — persuaded guests to “open their sporrans” generously. The remarkable sum raised will support the school’s annual operating costs, helping to sustain its mission of educating children living in abject poverty.
A School Transforming Lives
St. Nicholas Preparatory School stands in the heart of Tema New Town, where many children face extreme hardship and have limited access to formal education.
“At St. Nicholas, we believe every child deserves an education,” says the school’s leadership. “Many of our pupils would receive none at all without this intervention.”
The school’s vision goes beyond primary education. Plans are far advanced to expand into a full primary and junior high system, culminating in a vocational college where students can acquire practical skills to secure meaningful employment.
The Baltic Exchange Caledonian Society community’s support is therefore not just charitable giving — it is an investment in the future of young Ghanaians.
Sincere Appreciation
A special vote of thanks goes to Range Shipping, Poten & Partners, SSY, AM Nomikos, Mark Jackson and Ken Maclean, whose contributions were central to the fundraiser’s success.
Founding Trustee, Deborah Eleazar, extended Christmas greetings to the Baltic Caledonia Society, adding warmly:
“In the spirit of your Scottish heritage — lang may yer lum reek. Long may warmth and prosperity fill your homes.”
British High Commission Visit
In October, the Chair of the Trustees, retired British Airways Captain Barry Hedges, together with Trustee Ivan Quashigah of Farmhouse Productions, paid a courtesy call on the British High Commissioner in Accra, Christian Rogg . Their visit culminated in an invitation for the High Commission to tour the school.
This visit later took place, with Pamela Bassah and Prosper Afun representing theBritish High Commission. They were welcomed by the St. Nicholas Navy Cadet Corps and entertained by the pupils. The UK based charity hopes to have a closer relationship with the British High Commission and the British expatriate companies in Ghana. The charity works very closely with the charity TEABAG in Mankoadze as well as the Chaffinch Trust in the UK whose patron is HRH Princess Anne
A Future Built on Partnership
From London to Tema, the story of St. Nicholas Preparatory School is one of commitment, compassion and the transformative power of education.
Opportunities exist for individuals and organisations to sponsor a child, volunteer, or partner with the school in various ways. Every act of support makes a tangible difference in the lives of children who would otherwise be denied the chance to learn, grow and thrive.
