Children's Party at NDC

The Children's Party at NDC was organised by Kim Kandola and Dawn Denton on Saturday 28 November 2009.  The party was opened to all employees children between the ages of 3-10.  

We have a raffle and raise money for Barnardo's.   Marcia from the Fostering Service in Coventry attended the event, but I was also hoping that she would be able to bring some Barnardo's children along to the party.  Unfortunately this was not possible but we will certainly bear this in mind for another year.

For this years party we booked an external production company called 'Chaplins' to perform 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears'.  The show lasted 75 minutes, which was followed by the children enjoying party food.  After this, Dave Bebbington, Hub Manager gave a vote of thanks to everyone for attending the party, he also thanked Chaplins and proceeded to thank Marcia for being there from Barnardo's.  Then Dave proceeded to draw the raffle, which raised £203.00 for Barnardo's, plus £95.00 which was donated for Barnardo's at the Dawali celebrations.

At the end of the afternoon we asked Chaplins to call each child on to stage and give them a present and an advent calendar. 

Feedback at the end of the afternoon was that the party was a complete success with both parents and children enjoying the event.

See all the photos from the Childrens Party

Midlands Resourcing Team

Norman Mence, Sara Dimmer, Hajira Dadabhoy, Michelle Tomlinson, Jayne Parry, Lisa Trow and Kathryn Buckley from the Midlands Resourcing Team in HR Services  took 17 children and 10 adults from the Barnardo's SMART project to the Sealife Centre in Birmingham.  The children ranged from 2yrs to 15yrs, and many have had difficult unstable lives.

They were picked up from Tamworth in a coach, which they loved, they all seemed really excited and the atmosphere was fantastic.  They had a great time at the Sealife Centre, they then had an hour to play in the children's activity area, where they could really let their hair down and have lots of fun.

On the coach back everyone was given a Royal Mail goody bag which contained red bugs, pens, calculators, post it notes, pencil cases and chocolate money and these were very well received by everyone. 

Northern Ireland Resourcing Team

Joanne Fowles, John Irvine and Alice Johnston from the Northern Ireland Resourcing Team in HR Services carried out a sponsored walk along the North Down coastal path, starting at Holywood and finished at Bangor.  It was a great day and the 10 mile walk was completed in less that 3 hours.

Between the team a fantastic £1,070 was raised for Barnardo's. 

Barnardo’s has been working in Northern Ireland for over 108 years. Today, in over 45 services rooted in communities across the length and breadth of Northern Ireland, they reach out to 11,000 children, young people and their families every year.  The money will go directly to Barnardo's within Northern Ireland to allow them to continue their excellent work.

The team are also working with Barnardo's to provide job opportunities with Royal Mail and have secured positions over the Christmas period and with the National Returns Centre in Belfast in January.

Please see photograph below showing the team with the Barnardo's cheque.

Kick start 2010 with the Barnardo’s Big 5km Run

 Runners and non-runners alike are invited to take part in the Barnardo’s Big 5km, supported by Royal Mail Group. 

The 2010 events held in Victoria Park, London on the 28th February 2010 and South Leeds Stadium on the 14th March, are an opportunity to dust off your training shoes and step into springtime with your friends and family in tow. 

The 5km event is not just for the well-versed athlete or professional fundraiser.  Barnardo’s wants you to get your friends and family members; walkers, joggers and couch potatoes involved. You will not only be raising your heart rate, but you will also be raising valuable funds to help turn around the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged children across the UK.

For the first time, Barnardo’s is organising a 1km run for children under 10 to take place before the main event. There will also be a range of activities for the whole family afterwards. 

Registration for the event is £10 for the 5km race and entrants are encouraged to raise £100. Whilst for the mini 1km race, the entry fee is just £5 and children are asked to try and raise £20.  To register and find out more visit www.big5km.co.uk

Daniel and Sarah’s Story:
Sarah registered herself and Daniel to run Barnardo’s Big 5km in 2009. Two years before, Daniel’s father Peter - who had been raised in a Barnardo’s home - had passed away. For them running the Barnardo’s Big 5km was a way to commemorate Peter and to celebrate the organisation that gave him a great start in life.

Your £100 could help Barnardo’s provide children like Daniel with five afternoons at one of our child bereavement family centres, where they will receive a wide range of therapy, training, and can relax and have fun with other children whose lives are adversely affected by bereavement, trauma and grief.

All funds raised from the Barnardo’s Big 5km will go towards the children’s charity’s vital work turning around the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people throughout the UK.