"The Army Fun day was a triumph" - report from Christine Beedle

 After all the traumas we at the Rotary Club of Colchester Centurion have had  to face since the theft of the van and all our fantastic donations from Boots, we are now smiling from ear to ear.

The Army Fun day was a triumph.  Over 600 army soldiers from the Parachute Regiments and their families came to enjoy a day designed to show how much Rotary and the people of Colchester appreciate them.  It was a day to show the heroes sent to Afghanistan and the heroes left back home, how much we admire their courage and their fortitude.  

After the setback of the theft  we Centurions  refused to be daunted and pledge that the party would be bigger and better than ever.  The Essex County Standard reported our plight on Friday 3^rd September with an appeal for information and this resulted in a constant stream of donations and offers of help.  Money sent in by fellow Rotarians and the generous people of Colchester amounted to almost £400 which enabled us to buy sweets and lollipops for our goody bags.  Presents arrived for the free raffle, the highlight being an exquisite diamond bracelet donated by Mulberry Publications.  Then Indulgence Patisserie Ltd. gave us 500 de luxe desserts to follow the barbecue.  Sodexho catering company gave us a great deal on the food and the staff at The Musket Club kindly cooked it!  Hundreds of  beautiful children’s books arrived from from TBS at Elmstead Market and Usborne. 

Still more good news – Williams & Griffin appealed to their suppliers for help with fantastic success – toys, more books, skin care and perfumes poured in.   Students from the Institute offered to help with the beauty bar and two bands gave their services free. 

Centurions were overjoyed – we had never expected this sort of response.  Colchester businesses and public alike took our appeal to their hearts, thanks to the Essex County Standard telling you about the sad theft of our van and donations.   This, together with the original sponsorship from the property developers of the Garrison, Countryside Properties, Annington Homes and Bovis Homes, and Taylor Wimpey East London who paid £1,000 towards the cost of the food ensured the  party was a resounding success. 

Everything for our soldiers and their families was free – food and soft drinks, a huge raffle, all the fun you could think of – climbing wall, bucking bronco, carousel, Punch and Judy, a huge funfair to enthral everyone, plus a Suffolk Punch and her foal, a petting corner, caricatures, face painting, a nail and beauty bar, even the popcorn and candy floss were free.

Every Mum and every child received a wonderful goody bag valued at up to £10. Each child chose a book donated by TBS (The Book Store) and Usborne, and their toys included Crayola Crayons, Twilight Ponies, bouncy balls, Tomy treats while their Mums’  included perfume, body lotion samples, bath salts  and an aromatherapy balm specially for the Little Hero at home donated by Base Formula Limited. 

The sun shone, the party atmosphere enveloped everyone.  Rotary District Governor, Bob Barclay and his wife Judith, Colonel Tim Fleetwood, the Garrison Commander, and Major David Casey of the Colchester Garrison came and joined in the fun.   They were full of admiration and thanks. 

It was, however, the individual 'Thank Yous' that were received from the soldiers themselves that made everything worthwhile.   Soldiers and army wives came up to thank us – some in tears, telling us this had been a day to treasure -  some had made it their leaving party just days before their departure.  A day when they forgot their worries.   Others who are just back from Afghanistan had a welcome home celebration.

We want to pass their thanks on to every one of you who helped make this possible.

( If anyone wants to become a Rotarian and help us make more dreams come true, please contact our Membership Officers Lesley and Martin Sulley 01206 851071.)