Movie magic brings Happy House to life

Mama Sue and Helen Duckworth

There was love, laughter and tears when we showed we showed our new Happy House film for the first time on Tuesday.

Dr Danwata, Peter and  Jo Reid

Friends, old and new, joined us to say hello to Mama and Papa, back in the UK on a brief visit which also gave us the perfect opportunity to premiere our film  which tells the story of Mama and her Happy House - a road of love, laughter and tears.

Janet and cakes

A remarkable and insightful documentary, made by Italian film maker Massimiliano Zeuli who has his own production company, Overlook, in Rome, it transports an audience into the very heart of our founder, Sue,  and the home and family that she has created.

It is also a story of love,  the special love shared by Sue and her husband Dave - the unsung hero who is her rock in every storm.
For 45 minutes our guests saw a day at the Happy House unfold, with our Evans as their guide.

Spellbound

The reactions it received were everything we had hoped for - it spoke to hearts, old and young.
Charlotte Rossall, 12, was there with her mum Joanne. 
Joanne's class at school sponsors Linus and she and Charlotte have helped out with lots of fundraising. But the film had a huge effect on Charlotte.
Joanne wrote on Facebook: "One little lady has had her eyes and heart opened tonight by Sue and David from Happy House.

Charlotte

Charlotte has supported this wonderful charity by proxy for the last few years, tonight through watching a wonderful 45 minute film she has a true and full understanding of how magical it truly is. 110 young lives affected by tragic circumstances and transformed by the kindness and dedication of Sue, David, Libby and all of their team along with the support of people who sponsor children and donate when they can."

Mama Sue and Su Gordon

Sue welcomed everyone to our special evening - a coffee evening at Bispham Junior Football Federation Hub, near Blackpool, which proved to be an ideal venue.
She made special mention of Massimiliano for giving his time, talent and energy to making the film for us as a labour of true love.
Sue paid tribute to everyone whose support makes our work at the Happy House possible and thanked Dr Falalu Danwata,  her oncologist when she was being treated for breast cancer, for giving his name to our scholarship scheme and for being a role model for our children.

BJFF's Andy and Kelly

After the film there was a chance to chat, enjoy coffee and the most delicious cupcakes, made and donated by Janet of Chattercake , a Blackpool celebration cake  and edible gifts business..
Helen Duckworth, immediate past president of Fylde Soroptimist International, presented Sue with a cheque for £500 which had been raised for the Happy House during her year of office.
Sue Gordon of Blackpool Soroptimists was delighted to meet Sue and Dave
 Their Christine Walker Memorial Fund made us a grant of £5,000 to fund our secondary school science lab, which is now underway.  
Our evening was a great success, socially and financially, raising, including the Fylde SI donation, £1074.81
With our thanks to everyone who came along , to Bispham Junior Football Federation's Kelly Barber and Andy Griffiths (07753119842 for bookings).; to Janet of Chattercake ( 07761 061 144)  and all those who helped in any way.