Bands, a big top, celebrities, parades and fun awaited some 300 seriously or terminally ill children from throughout Great Britain recently as they gathered at the second annual Fun Day sponsored by Church members and friends.
Young Single Adults from throughout Great Britain also helped as children were provided free sweets, food and entertainment.Among the celebrities who took time with the children was rock star Bob Geldof, principal organizer of the Live Aid Concert, the worldwide effort to bring food to starving east Africans in 1985. Geldof posed for photos with the children, and encouraged them in facing their physical challenges.
The Church members served as volunteers and assisted the children. As they mingled with children, some of whom were in wheelchairs, the young adults helped each child do what he or she wanted to do. Some of the young adults were made up as clowns.
The Young Single Adults also attended a conference while in London.
The event was sponsored to give members a service project where they could join with non-members in a memorable cause. They wanted to give the children something to improve their lives, said Rex Beech, event organizer.
The experience was an unforgettable one for both volunteers and the children, he said. "As the children go away with a a heap of happy memories, then we know we have succeeded," said Beech.
Beech was involved in last year's event at Battersea Park, where hundreds of youngsters had the time of their lives in a similar setting. To repeat the event this year, Beech created a non-profit organization - Kids Count - and solicited donations from businesses and individuals to stage the extravaganza. Toys, candy, food, and even the service of employees were donated by sympathetic company managers.
"People have been extremely generous in giving one way or another," said Beech, Young Men president of the Ilford Ward.
"Although most of our manpower comes from the Church, non-members are also getting involved," he said. "This is great, because it's nice to involve both members and non-members."
As a result of the success of the event, smaller fun days are being planned throughout the year. Another spin-off of the fun day was a similar event, the "Boston Happening," held in Boston, Mass., for underprivileged children. (See story on page 10.)
The children had fun, and so did their parents.
"Being the parent of a handicapped child is a strain, both physically, emotionally and financially," said one mother whose multi-handicapped child particularly enjoyed the day. "Your kindness, I know, has lifted us all."