Monday 17 March 2014

Our fabulous Fleetwood friends

The Lancashire port of Fleetwood has really been pushing out the boat for our Happy House family - with two events on one week!
On Saturday, Fleetwood Rotary Club hosted an Indian evening organised by Rani Ramesh at Fleetwood High School.
Rani is in our baby Athman's sponsor family.
It was a wonderful night of friendship and fun, with proceeds being shared between the Happy House and Railway Children, which supports street children in the UK. India and East Africa.
Club president George Ayoma welcomed guests and urged them to enjoy the evening but also to help raise plenty of money for the two causes.
Elizabeth Gomm spoke about the Happy House and the launch of the school scholarship scheme for needy young people from the community, the realisation of a long-held hope for our Mama Sue,
Peter Proctor talked about Railway Children.
Entertainment included a beautiful display of classical Indian dance by Dr Swati Rout, followed later by some comic Bollywood by Derrik Foulkes, David Simpson and Stewart Walker, 
There was also bingo, a raffle and a delicious Indian meal.
The evening was a huge success with David Simpson announcing that £1,000 had been raised, with still more to come.
Our thanks to Rani and to other members of Fleetwood Rotary and to members of the local Indian community for helping out and supporting the event, and for being so generous.
Pictured: Main picture: George Ayoma with ladies in saris (Rani is far left); above right:  Swati Raut;  the Bollywood boys with Rani and twins Carole Pilling (Left) and Sandra Foulkes, who are in the sponsor family of twins, Pendo and Saumu.

                                       A night at St Nicholas

On Thursday, Elizabeth Gomm had a lovely evening with members of St Nicholas' Church's Evening mothers Union, when they were touched and inspired by the story of Mama Sue and her determination to make a difference to the lives of children by creating her unique and very special Happy House.
The evening resulted in donations totalling £59.50.