Beaumond House Hospice Care hosts successful half-term event at Newark Showground

Families have praised a charity’s first-ever half-term inflatable indoor event, where children got to bounce about for hours.

Beaumond House Hospice Care organised the event on Thursday (May 29) at Newark Showground, where dozens of families were able to have fun and burn off some energy.

The charity event, aimed at children aged 13 and under, had morning and afternoon two-and-a-half-hour sessions, with a under 5s dedicated area.

Mother of two, Carly Carpenter, said to be a big supporter of the charity and their work and said that combining a good cause with a family-friendly event was the ideal half-term plan for her and her six and 10-year-olds.

“There are a lot of smiley faces, which is lovely and anything like this, especially to break up the half term or the summer holidays, parents are always in need of ways to entertain the children, and if it is for a good cause, we are always in support of it.”

Nicola Cresley travelled from Cromwell with her six-year-old after her friend shared the event on a WhatsApp group.

She added: “Holidays can be quite long and can be quite expensive, so it is nice that there is something that is very good value and you can bring your children to and you know they will be safe, all be in one area and have freedom within the area.”

The showground venue had a range of different bouncy inflatables with different themes and even a football net with velcro straps for all the sports enthusiasts.

There were volunteers from both the charity and from Vodafone, who kept an eye on the children but also supported them through the activities, allowing families and friends some rest and time to sit down.

Terry Edward, of Newark, came along with his three-year-old granddaughter Heather Edwards.

He said to be really enjoying and that it was good to see so many families enjoying themselves, and that Heather was having ‘a really good time’.

Another grandparent at the event was Julie Zemontas, who came with her five-year-old grandson, Myles Zemontas-Mills.

She added: “I came here to entertain my grandson, but also to support the charity.

“The children need exercise, and the charity needs our support; everyone benefits.

“The event is brilliant, it is very entertaining and there is plenty for the children to do.”

Myles, who had already been jumping around the inflatables, said that he really enjoyed playing football and that he was having ‘a lot of fun’.

The venue cafe was open and serving a variety of hot and cold drinks.

Rose Turner, mother of a five-year-old, of Newark, said: “I work for Beaumond House and it is great being here supporting it as my local charity.

“I came here with my child, and seeing the event come together is amazing; it is such a great idea to help parents and to raise money.”

Larissa Mannang, of Collingham, went with her three children, aged four, five and eight, and said they ‘were ‘loving it’.

Matt Colbourne, the head of fundraising and communications at the charity, said that the event was a success and it was really good to see the event being ‘well supported by the community’.

He added: “Events fundraising is part of what we do but we always try to think of the patients and their families and the community that support us.

“We are very happy to see that the community has come out to support us once again so that we can continue to provide the free of charge services that we do.

“It is nice to do something that, as well as supporting the hospice, provides something that is good value for money, especially during school holidays.

“We appreciate that it is expensive to keep children entertained during this economic time, and it can be really hard work, so I believe it is this event is a win-win not only for families but also for us.”

The charity expressed their gratitude to Newark Showground, Bounceabout Inflatables and to the Vodafone team, who they said, without their support, the event wouldn’t have been possible.