EVERYONE seemed full of beans in Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn on Friday, 9 November, anticipating a lunchtime like no other.

What had seemed like a half-baked idea at the time, from Bethan Williams, wellbeing and inclusion co-ordinator, to raise money for Children in Need, exceeded all expectations.

Miss Williams suggested that pupils might be eager to donate extra money (in addition to the £1 donation for ‘non-uniform’ day the following week) if a member of staff volunteered to sit in a paddling pool of baked beans.

The headteacher, Helen Lewis, immediately volunteered to take part in this challenge and her loyal deputy, David Thorp, perhaps slightly less enthusiastically, valiantly agreed to join her – if pupils raised £150 before the day.

Bookers Cash & Carry, Aberystwyth and Harlech Frozen Foods donated a total of 62 kilos of baked beans between them, so things were going swimmingly but the team soon realised they were going to need more beans.

Talyllyn Railway café, the Co-op store and Skippy’s Fish & Chips were more than happy to donate some more beans to the good cause.

When their five minutes were up, they left the pool and made their way around to the fire engine, looking very orange and uncomfortable.

Worse was to come, as the fire brigade turned the hose on them. Now this part Mr Thorp relished. The laughter echoed around school again, this was certainly not the canned variety.

There was also much applause - which Mrs Lewis and Mr Thorp certainly deserved.

They had put on a tremendous show, and pupils continued to add their change to the Children in Need buckets.

Just when you thought the fun was all over, the prefects, caught up in the fantastic atmosphere and spray from the fire engine, offered an additional £20 if they were allowed to be soaked by the fire hose.

Well done you brave and generous (if not sensible) prefects, and well done to everyone who helped raise £575.