CLUB members treated a party of youngsters to a day out at Staunton Country Park.
One of our ongoing projects is supporting the women’s refuges in Gosport and Fareham and each summer children living in the homes, and their mothers, are taken on a trip during the school holidays.
Five women and ten children enjoyed the visit and the weather proved ideal for the occasion -sunny with a mild breeze. Staunton Park gives children an opportunity to run free and make a noise. They are able to touch and feed the animals, play in the play area and wander round the lovely walled garden. There are large greenhouses with exotic plants and a pool with huge water lily pads.
A picnic was set up on tables in a quiet secluded area and mums and children sat on picnic rugs to eat: sandwiches, pork pies, sausages, sausage rolls, cakes and muffins baked by members as well as fruit, crisps biscuits and fromage frais – enough to feed an army!! Mums preferred Schloer to coke but the children were happy with water and fruit juice.
Four club members (pictured) and a support worker accompanied the party bringing and setting up the picnic which was supplied and prepared by a number of members. The club paid for the entrance fees to the park from club charity funds but the families were able to make use of a free mini bus and driver supplied by HMS Collingwood for transport to the park.
All had a great time – the gardens were a delight for adults and children. All five families have sent homemade thank you cards saying how much they enjoyed the day.