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As one of the UK’s leading retailers, Marks & Spencer, continues to tailor products and services towards the ever changing consumer lifestyle, the British brand concurrently gives back to the world through innovative and unique ways that are wholesomely rewarding to souls in need. Together with Philippine Airlines, be surprised on what M&S brought to our shores this 2015.

Since its establishment, the business was built together with strong values of Innovation, Inspiration, Integrity, and In touch. It was definitely through their strong intangible foundation and heart of doing business that made them arrive and reach places beyond their homeland. This year, together with the loving hands of Children’s Hour, a social development organization that provides various programs for children in need of education, health and nutrition, protection, and financial support, Marks & Spencer engraved a once in a lifetime experience to these kids—an educational fieldtrip in a M&S Double Decker bus as means of transport.

From a child’s curious mind, it is as if there are so many things to learn and uncover about the world. An educational fieldtrip can feed a constantly wondering mind, unleash inner brilliance, discover potentialities, elicit interests, and explore horizons. It is discovering beyond the four walls. The brand believes that every young soul out there deserves an unforgettable childhood experience that they get to grow and extend from. The fun-filled and interesting activities M&S planned and lined up happened last September 1 to 5.

Thrilled of actualizing this activity, M&S started off the weeklong educational trip at The Mind Museum, with the Grade 3 students from Sto. Rosario Elementary School. The schoolchildren got to see how expansive the universe is from constellations up to learning how pre-historic time is like. It was an interactive and fun way in getting to know how Science works and familiarizing on how it plays a role in their daily lives. Joining the activity from Children’s Hour are Geenete Garcia, Executive Director, Kristine Milette, Resource Mobilization Associate, and DJ/Host Sam Oh, with the M&S team.

With noses pressed on windows, the students from Center of Excellence in Public Elementary Education (CENTEX) together with the Marks & Spencer team, and volunteers from Children’s Hour merrily went to Manila Ocean Park last September 2. The students enjoyed viewing different marine animals, watched a sea lion show, and were able to get a close encounter with the stingrays. Indeed, this was a fulfilling day for all of them as they fascinate themselves on how aquatic life is like.

On the third day, there were indigent kids who travelled a long way from Talim Island, Binangonan, Rizal for an educational tour in Intramuros. Joining the historical tour was Ms. Patricia Bermudez-Hizon, Celebrity Ambassador for Children’s Hour. The students learned about the life and works of our national hero through the interactive displays. They were also amazed on how the Philippine historical past looked like as they passed by homes that were designed and built during Spanish colonization.

All hyped-up and had their game face on for the fourth day, the children from House of Refuge were joined by the Stallion Football Club, volunteers from Children’s Hour and Marks & Spencer Philippines for a day of sports. The children were grouped and each team was assigned with a coach from the Stallion Football Club to guide them on the basics of football. It was an enriching activity for them as they learned the value of teamwork and of course, the idea of practice makes perfect. Indeed, amidst the exhaustion, the genuine smiles of the kids made it all worthwhile.

The fifth day and last day was with Patricia Bermudez-Hizon, Celebrity Ambassador for Children’s Hour. She chose to celebrate her birthday by hosting a Basketball clinic with the kids from Talim Island, Rizal. It was through this activity wherein the children found out what skill they can offer to make their team win, and having interest towards the sport as well.

Before ending each day, all students and volunteers were given a bag of M&S food items to serve as tokens of appreciation. The five consecutive days with the brand’s Double Decker bus and the planned activities were a success as each child definitely went home with an experience that they would cherish and remember for a lifetime. After all, having a fieldtrip on an iconic British bus does not happen every day.

Marks and Spencer is one of UK’s leading retailers, selling stylish, high quality, great value clothing and home products, as well as outstanding quality food, responsibly sourced from around 2,000 suppliers globally.