St Joan of Arc - Udayan

It was with great pleasure that we accepted our invitation to the Passing Out Parade at Hendon, and today went along to collect the money they had raised for us.

As well as marking the end of the training for the 141 police recruits that we gave a talk to at the beginning of their course, it was also the last official day of the Head of the Metropolitan Police, Sir John Stevens. Due to this occasion, most of the top staff of the police force were there, including his successor, Sir Ian Blair, and the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. Needless to say, we got a few photos.

The parade was a great ceremony, with horses, dogs, motor cycles, and two bands, the Irish Guards and the Surrey pipes and drums. There was even a helicopter flyover. Although rain threatened, it held off until we were all inside and the speeches were being made. Mrs Weldon received a cheque for £5250, a staggering amount raised by just 141 recruits in 18 weeks. She then gave a short but powerful speech about the work that has gone on in Udayan since we were last at Hendon, and the use that this money will be put to. Quite a few comments were made afterwards about Udayan and the impending trip to India, even by Sir John and Lady Stevens who were very interested about the work of the home.