Family Fun Day at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices

A lovely story shared from Shooting Star Children’s Hospices

We welcomed over 250 supported family members to Christopher’s for our Family Fun Day on Sunday 1 September. The annual event, held at our Guildford hospice is a chance for families to come together and enjoy a wealth of fun and entertainment with various stalls, special visitors and a delicious BBQ all in a safe and comfortable environment.

This year’s theme was ‘Disney’ which resulted in families, staff and volunteers getting in the spirit and dressing up in wonderful Disney themed costumes – from Alice in Wonderland to Peter Pan, Toy Story to Frozen – the garden was awash with colourful crafted creations – much to everyone’s delight.

There was lots for families to enjoy with stalls including Disney Hoopla, Pirates of the Caribbean Boat Race, Mucky Dip and Toss the Dice. There was treasure to be found if you followed a special trail and a chance to try your luck at the Disney themed human fruit machine run by Godalming and Villages Lions Club.

Car enthusiasts were spoilt for choice as a number of vintage and classic cars from Surrey Classic Vehicle Club and super sports cars from Maclaren were on display in the car park.

Entertainment was provided by singer Roz Turner, who serenaded everyone with favourite Disney songs throughout the day, as well as a Ukulele Band who performed their twist on Disney classics.

There were fun and games with children’s entertainer Nicky Nacky Noo who was on hand to play games, make balloon animals, and sing and dance with the children, and a whole petting farm of featured and furry friends including rabbits, goats, chicks and sheep that the children could stroke and handle. Some delightful donkeys also trotted by with their owners Cherry and Chris to say hello.

We even had a visit from a stormtrooper! 

A huge BBQ was kindly supplied and cooked by a bereaved dad who has been supported by Shooting Star Children’s Hospices. Families could enjoy the delicious sausages, burgers and salad followed by the perfect pud – a chocolate fountain!

Anne Bridgman, Head of Care at Christopher’s said of the day, “It really is the loveliest of days for supported children and their families to spend time together, have fun and just relax. It’s a great opportunity for families to catch up with one another too. We’d like to thank all the amazing attendees, volunteers, staff and everyone else who made the day so very special.”

The Family Fun Day simply wouldn’t be possible without the help and support of our volunteers – with nearly 70 fantastic individuals giving up their time and expertise to help before, during and after the event. A huge thank you to all involved.