Normally around this time of year What’s On In Epsom and Hobbledown have in the past pre covid would invite local businesses for a fun night of networking. But this year we decided to do something different and special to mark our 10 years of business.
While helping Surrey Stands With Ukraine I quickly learned that not only did these families need help and support they needed to meet other families and for the children to play. So while having a meeting with Caroline, the general manager of Hobbledown Epsom, we decided why not have a party for the children.
Within just a few weeks plans were made and invites sent out thanks to the amazing team at Epsom & Ewell Refugee Network. Last night Wednesday 13th July the party came to life.
In total over 250 adults and mainly children from Ukraine with their host family enjoyed the wonderful children’s adventure park. With free face painting from the amazing team at iPaint Faces, Entertainment from the Hobbledown Characters
Halfway through the evening Hobbledown laid on a birthday spread for everyone including Pizza, Chocolate cakes, fresh fruit and more plus drinks. After this it was time to burn off the pizza as the families one again explored the park. Caroline commented “Its so wonderful to see these families smiling and having fun at which must be such a difficulty time for them. I can not begin to imagine what these children have seen and gone through at such a young age. I’m so proud of my team for volunteering and enabling us to make this evening a success. “
Thank You
An evening like this can’t happen without so much support and help and I like to just say thank you to:
Hobbledown
It goes without saying without Caroline and her team this event would never have happened. Everytime we spoke Caroline would be like well let’s add this or we will do this. Amazing support from an amazing team
Epsom and Ewell Refugee Network
Massive thank you to Nina and her team for organising the invites and collecting the names. We would never have made this happen without their help. Please help and support this great local charity who are helping people whose lives have been changed.
Olha
Thank you to Olha who gave up her evening to be our translator and follow me around all evening
iPaint Faces
Who done an amazing job giving the children and a few adults free face paints and glitter tattoos. They were busy from the start and never stopped. again giving up their time for free.