On Shrove Tuesday 13 February, members of the CARE Committee and the Children’s and Families’ Activities team put on a Pancake Party for nearly 50 children and parents. It began with a lively sing song by Mary Farrell with Tim and Maggie Hayes who used to entertain at our New Year Parties many years ago. After sandwiches and pancakes, we had an exciting and vibrant entertainment by ‘Sophietastic’ which included magic and balloon animals.
This was an opportunity for Gillian to greet and say ‘Good Bye’ to the families and also for them to meet Jenny Clayton, the new Executive Manager. At the end one of the mums, Amy Bediako, gave an impromptu personal tribute to Gillian.
On Saturday 16 March we held a special tea party that was generously funded by Wimbledon and District Nursing and Midwifery Benevolent Society whose retiring Chair, Alex Roney, spoke about her charity. Almost 50 of the 65 Christian CARE volunteers attended. Also present, though briefly, was Liz Smith [nee Hyde] daughter of the founder of Christian CARE Bert Hyde. Together with Jenny Clayton, new Executive Manager, who was also there, the continuity of the service of Christian CARE in Merton was emphasised. Jane Savill, Chair paid tribute to the work of Gillian in the charity since 1978 and Gillian spoke thanking the volunteers for their COMPANIONSHIP, COMMITMENT and CARING, and encouraging them in the moving words of one of the mothers to keep ‘giving God’s love away.’
We are most grateful to the members of St Mary’s Wimbledon who donated 46 Real Chocolate Easter Eggs which have been distributed to families.
For the first time, on the initiative of our Office Assistant Anja Laitinen, there has been an Easter Mailing to families. It included messages from Gillian and Jenny, easy recipes from store cupboard foods and a piece from mum Amy about Merton’s Holiday Activities Fund.
I am Amy, a mother of three – a 13 year old teenager and twins aged 6.
I first heard about these Holiday Activities when Christian CARE sent me a list of activities that were taking place around Merton for children on Free School Meals. I gladly took a proper look at the places and activities being offered, and I settled with one for the twins and one my elder son. My children have since attended during any break from school - half terms, summer holidays, Easter holidays etc.
Their primary school was not issuing HAF Codes to us initially, but upon constant requests from parents like myself and others, these HAF Codes are now being sent to us in advance to enable us book the places on time, since places are available on first come basis.
My children really enjoy attending because they get to travel to different places, using the buses, tram and train, visit new places all the time, go to beaches, different parks at different locations, go to the cinema, meet new people and enjoy the food they are served. My elder son now plays a voluntary role in his place and he is super happy and proud of it.
As a mother, I am very grateful for these Holiday Activities for these reasons:
I recommend any parents who are eligible to gladly take this great opportunity for their child or children and they will never regret it.
Bert Hyde, our founder, “One of God’s diamonds”
©2024
Christian CARE Association Registered Charity No: 1044099
Header photograph of Morden, courtesy of Merton Council