Fun Days

Birthmark Support Group Fun Days

The Drama Centre, Chigwell School, The High Road, Chigwell, Essex, IG7 6QF

16 September 2007

Chigwell School was the setting for the fifteenth Birthmark Support Group Fun Day. The day kicked-off at midday and all attendees were greeted with a Welcome Pack that contained a welcome letter with a programme of events, Contacts list, Adults and Children's quiz etc and a present for each child. It was a perfect, early autumn, warm and breezy day and everyone was able to make full use of the lovely grounds.

Children made a beeline for the bouncy castle and were ably supervised by the students of the school alongside the fantastic guys from James Coakes and Progressive Resources Ltd (who supplied and supervised the equipment). When the kids had lost some of their oomph there was also Giant Connect4 and Giant Jenga to entertain them.

The refuelling stop in the shape of a BBQ was ably managed by the whole Kemp Family who delivered a fabulous fare to satisfy the hungriest appetite.

Things carried on apace and it was a surprise to many to find 3 Big Brother Housemates in the form of Jonty, Kara-Louise and Carole making an unannounced appearance. Carole has been the resident face painter at our South-East Fun Days for many years.

Doctor Samira Syed and Sisters Jane Linward and Hilary Kennedy from the Birthmark Unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital were on hand to dispense medical advice as needed. A special mention of thanks must be made for Dr Syed who attended even though it was her birthday.

The Refreshment stall did a roaring trade and there were many takers for the raffle. Clinique representatives ran their regular stall to supply skin and camouflage advice all afternoon. Many enjoyed a swim in the school's open air pool (which was amazingly warm - honest).

Children were delighted to make the acquaintance of Poppet the pony (back by popular demand). Not back by popular demand, but he came anyway was Marco the Clown who got up to more anarchic antics. This man can make you feel tired just watching him. He, as ever, gave his time for free and sent many children away very happy with only the odd adult twitching.

Carole performed her normal high quality range of face painting and worked tirelessly throughout the afternoon. Children would have still been queuing at 9pm if they'd been allowed to.

Nick Ward chaired the AGM and presented the Group's yearly report. Toni Lingfield, after stepping down from the Committee last year was re-elected on to it. The group's accounts were presented, reviewed and accepted.

Nick took the opportunity to outline the major funding project the group is embarking on to manufacture and distribute the Birthmarks DVD to raise general awareness with regard to birthmarks. A sneak preview of the draft DVD was aired to provide a sample of the eventual product which will be launched in early October 2007.

Big, Big thanks are due to:

Toni Lingfield for masterminding the day;
Chigwell School's headmaster, Michael Punt, and his staff for allowing us to use their magnificent site and for the generous help that they gave during the organisation of the event. Special thanks are due to Tina Page, the Bursar's Secretary for her unstinting help leading up to and during the day. Thanks are also due to the Bursar and the sixthformers of the school who volunteered to help out on the day;
Jo & Martin Kemp and their family for the fantastic BBQ;
Marco the Clown for helping us all find the child within;
Carole for the excellent face painting (again)
James Coakes and Progressive Resources for the outdoor games and bouncy castle - and to Simon and his colleague for driving all the way up from Southampton, setting everything up and supervising even down to the free bottles of water;
Maggie Murfitt and Mark Checksfield for manning the registration desk and tea stall respectively.

Thank you all - It was another Fun Day to be remembered.

To gain a flavour of the day see the photos below:


Oh we're soooo celeb now dahling. The Big Brother housemates, Jonty, Kara-Louise and Carole with friends.	There were sightings of rare Pink Bears	Girl Talk

I can't stop bouncing	OK Punk make my day....	Aawwww MUM

I don't believe it, someone's let him back in.	Groovin' with Marco	The ever lovely Dr Syed receives a special birthday fanfare

Wildlife