Photograph by White Room
On Thursday 4th August, we held our 9th annual Fun Day at West Faversham Community Centre. This is a free event promoting sports activities to adults and children with a learning disability, their families and carers, and the wider community.
Over 200 people attended the Fun Day and took part in a range of activities, from football and cricket, to bowls and boccia. These activities were supported by local sports providers Kent FA, Margate and Gillingham FC, Kent Cricket, Motiv8 Sports, Bowls Development Alliance and Kent Sport. Other activities included dance, provided by Confidance, and circus skills with Kinetic Circus. Animal Days Out were also at the event, providing the opportunity for people to hold animals ranging from chinchillas to bearded dragons. Music was provided by island radio station, Sheppey FM.
Both the Mayor of Swale and the Mayor of Faversham attended the event, taking part in some of the activities and speaking to the participants. The Mayors, Cllr Lesley Ingham and Cllr Sheil Campbell, were also joined by Cllr Tom Gates, Cllr Trevor Shonk and Cllr Rosamund Dixon.
The Fun Day also featured a raffle, a Guess the Weight of the Cake competition and a craft stall, together raising almost £200. A number of local businesses donated raffle prizes for the event, including Shepherd Neame, Historic Dockyard Chatham (via KM Treasure Chest) and Hornby Hobbies.
The Fun Day was funded by Kent County Council, Swale Borough Council, Faversham Town Council and Kent FA, who donated a combined total of £1,670. Volunteers from Lloyds Bank and Sainsbury’s in Faversham provided support on the day, greeting people and manning sports activities.
“It was great to see so many people with a learning disability enjoying a relaxed day out with friends and family,” commented Fundraising Manager, Jane Brooke. “We were very fortunate to receive support from some of the best sports providers in Kent. The centre is an ideal location and, thanks to Swale Borough Council, we were able to also use the playing field beside it.”
[Siobhan Rose O’Gorman]
