Parents, teachers and students were treated to an exotic evening of Indian dance, food and music last Saturday in aid of Udayan, the home for children of leprosy sufferers in Calcutta. Udayan, a Bengali word meaning ‘dawn’ and ‘new beginning’ was adopted by St Joan’s five years ago. Through the generosity of those who attended and the Rasal Brasserie in Rickmansworth High Street who kindly donated a delicious curry dinner with trimmings for all 150 guests, just over £3,000 was raised for the home. Music was provided by current and past sixth formers, most of whom have visited Udayan and worked with the children. The ensemble included three members of the O’Beirne family from Frankland Road Croxley Green, and Emma Ridley of Highfield Way Rickmansworth. There was a presentation with wonderful photographs of the most recent trip made earlier this year by nine sixth formers and two teachers, as well as a moving talk given by Mrs Beverley Schramm, a linguist at St Joan’s who had just returned from three weeks at Udayan teaching English to the children and staff.