Friends of Battersea Park
BBQ in the Zoo
T
he Friends of Battersea
Park annual BBQ in the
Children’s Zoo on 13th June,
was without doubt one of the
best so far. The beautiful
weather meant record
numbers with well over a
hundred children and nearly
three hundred adults of
every age group.
The children’s area, which
included face painting, pig-
racing (toy pigs!), Teddy Tennis,
a treasure hunt, ‘guess the
name of the Teddy’ and much
more, was literally buzzing with
activity. Lots of happy, smiling
children of all ages having a
wonderful time and when they
tired of the children’s area,
they went to dance on the
small green by the BBQ to the
infectious music of the
inimitable band, Los Soneros.
They played their hearts out
and kept the entertainment
going later than usual because
everyone was having such a
good time!
Smart Hospitality laid on a
fantastic feast as usual – of
scrummy burgers, sausages
and innovative salads – while
the Friends’ team of home
bakers provided scrumptious
brownies and lemon drizzle
cake for pudding.
There were some fantastic lots
on the Silent Auction, including
‘Dinner for Two’ at Mosimann’s
Plenty of beverages…
in a private
room, a Viviene
Westwood
handbag and a
wonderful
painting by
local artist,
Michael
Warren.
The raffle and tombola also had
some wonderful prizes, all
kindly donated by local
businesses
and
individuals.
This unique
fundraising
event gets
better every
year – where
else can you
bring every
member of the
family, from
babies to
grandparents,
to eat and
drink, dance
and play,
… as well as a fantastic feast.
surrounded by meerkats,
monkeys, parrots and other
exotic animals? The Heap
family, who own Battersea Park
Zoo, not only generously
donate the venue every year …
they always attend!
Emma Farmar, from Douglas
and Gordon (Battersea Park),
who sponsor the event, said,
“This is the highlight of the
Summer for us. It is such a
wonderful event and my
colleagues and I always look
forward to it from the beginning
of January!”
Can’t wait for next year!
MICHÈLE MARRIOTT
CRY Heart of London Bridges Walk 2017
O
n 9th July 1,423
walkers assembled in
London’s Potters Fields Park
for CRY’s 11th annual Heart
of London Bridges Walk.
From 8am, the CRY team and
volunteers arrived to set up the
start as well as being on hand
to meet and greet the walkers.
Many families who signed up
were keen to make contact
with their local media to help
raise awareness of CRY and its
work.
It was one of the most
humbling events in CRY’s busy
calendar. Set against the iconic
backdrop of Tower Bridge, it
was incr edibly moving to be
with so many people walking in
Hundreds of walkers assembled…
Visit The London & UK DatebooK on www.thedatebook.co.uk
memory of a friend or
family member. It was
particularly poignant to be
able to provide an
opportunity for
longstanding supporters
to meet up with others
who had been similarly
affected by young sudden
cardiac death.
The route took the
walkers across six London
… including this four-legged supporter.
bridges and past many of the
city’s famous landmarks.
Walkers came in groups – large
and also along the route and
and small – whilst others chose
the walk ended at the beautiful
to walk on their own or as a
Hay’s Galleria. To conclude the
couple.
event, Alison Cox MBE, CRY
Founder, gave a brief speech
Ahead of a minute’s silence,
which was followed by two
CRY CEO Dr Steven Cox gave a
short performances by Rock
short speech which was
Choir.
followed by CRY Patron, stage
actor and Hollywood star,
To date, around £650,000 has
Vincent Regan, addressing the
been raised by this event and
crowd before leading the Walk.
all money raised will go towards
CRY’s core funding initiatives.
Water and donated snacks
were handed out at the start
PHILIP HOULTON
THE LONDON & UK DATEBOOK
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