Amovate Family Fun Voted A Big Success

By Matt D’Arcy (Photographs by Sue Bedford)

Out of the mouths of babes…

And here, might I beg your indulgence and quote my four year-old granddaughter, Summer Serafim D’Arcy.  As we left Amovate’s Family Fun Day after five enjoyable hours she settled back into her car seat and said contentedly:

“That was fantastic—can we come back again next week?”

Unfortunately, Summer will have to wait longer than that—she will be a 5 year-old by the time next year’s event takes place.

But her unsolicited remark was a fitting testimonial to this pivotal event of Amovate’s charity fund-raising for 2015.  Summer had a fantastic time as did all the kids and their parents…and that was the whole point of the exercise wasn’t it; plenty of people having a good time while at the same time raising vital funds for Amovate’s charitable causes? (We are still counting and collecting the money, and details will be announced shortly).

And these photographs by Sue Bedford certainly prove the point as the area outside co-host Hugo’s Bar was packed with people having a great time.

As Amovate President John Bergstrom-Potter said afterwards the entire event was the result of a huge effort by the Committee and volunteers.

“Ian and Sue Bedford were outstanding in the design etc. of the programme, Steve Scott, Steve Baker & Rick Hursthouse, the events committee put together all the days entertainment, John Williams with his fantastic group of volunteer helpers, lifting and shifting, Sue Bergstrom-Potter, Kate Lang and Chic Wilson performed heroically, cooking burgers, hot dogs and bifanas all afternoon without a break and of course Dave Ogbourn and Bob (I smell a Rat) Packham for their efforts in raising funds.  Thanks too, go to all the Programme sellers”.

“When the Fun Day began at 2.15pm the committee members outnumbered our guests. But very soon a steady stream of people began arriving and within a short time the place was packed.

“It was good to see that some of our long-established surfing community turned up with their children, and the bouncy castle was a big hit with them.

“As I was circulating and selling the programmes I had the opportunity to speak with a lot of people and everyone was unanimous in saying how much they were enjoying the day. By the end only had about 35 programmes were unsold out of the 300 we issued which gives you a good idea of the numbers attending.

“It was difficult to assess how many people turned up—but a conservative estimate would be at least 250.”

John, reflecting on the change of venue from the previous year, went on: “There were those who had reservations regarding the venue but in the end it was the general feeling was that this was the better place.

“We are already starting to plan next year’s event, which is hoped will be bigger, with maybe two stages.

“Watch this space!”

Below is a selection of photos from the hugely successful Fun Day held.

There are two Lucky Programme Draw prizes which remain unclaimed.  If you have the Programme with either of these numbers on the front, then please e mail info@amovate.com or speak to an Amovate Committee member to claim your prize.

1 Bottle Red Wine – No. 053

1 Bottle White Wine – No. 038