SMF FAMILY FUN DAY 2008

After gaining officail charity status the Foundation sought to have an official launch and thought there was no better way than to have a Family Fun Day and on Saturday 26th July 2008 at Riverside Park (near Bitterne Park Triangle) there was just that.

The weather was wonderful and the response by way of the amount of you that turned up was truly amazing.  There was such a diverse range of people from young to old and families with their children, everyone had a great time.  The children were running around all afternoon enjoying themselves on all the activities on offer to them, they probably slept well that night i expect.

The afternoon kicked off with the Town Crier as master of ceromonies and the Foundation was officially launched by Sarah's husband Peter and mum Margaret, followed by the official opening of the Family Fun Day by The Right Worshipful the Mayor and Mayoress of Southampton Councillor Brian Parnell and Mrs Parnell.

There were so many activities for the children and while they played around there was a place for the older ones and mums & dads to relax and listen music from local bands including the Bitterne Park Jazz Funk band.

Jonathon and his Millenium Tent was a big hit with the kids, they were involved all afternoon and it was absolutley wonderful to see their faces with beaming smiles.

The Police with their mobile phone tagging ang neighbourhood watch information and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (St.Marys Station 54) with their free safety advice for home owners were their to give their support.

You relaxed and listened to music from local bands and many of you grabbed something to eat or drink from the refreshments which was on offer that day.

You all enjoyed yourselves form getting stuck in with the Sumo Wrestling to having a go at the African Drumming with their workshop.

In association with the Hampton Trust stand, there was our very own Sarah Merritt Foundation stand for everyone to see what we are all about and find out who Sarah was from looking at the many family pictures on our picture board of her along with some family video footage playing showing the kind of fun girl she was.

The day closed with the balloon race where the sky filled with the colours of the rainbow - the closing date for the return of the balloon tickets is 30th August, so the resulting winning ticket will be announced soon after.

The family of Sarah Merritt and the Sarah Merritt Foundation wish to thank all those who were there with a stand or gave a demonstration, played music or took part in all the hard work which went into organising the event, including all of you who gave up your time and worked extremely hard on the day to make this day the success it truly was.

Thank you also to everyone who came along that day, with or without children because the day was there to be enjoyed and so many of you turned up.