The Welcome Fun Day helps to raise charity's profile

Families gathered in glorious sunshine at Toft Cricket Club as The Welcome held its charity fun day on Sunday, June 23.

Not only did the event raise awareness for the charity, which provides a number of services to people in need, but also more than £5,000 to help it continue its vital work.

Simon Carin, the chairman of trustees at the charity, was delighted with the event and thanked those involved for their support.

He said: "What a fantastic fun day. The weather was glorious, the venue is superb and it was well attended with lots of families and kids having fun and joining in.

"I feel we have raised the profile of The Welcome across our town and within our community.

"I am extremely grateful to Nigel Muirhead, chairman of Toft Cricket Club, to Peter Watson, the president, Paul Raffo, the chairman of the Toft Taverners Club, and its members.

The Tug of War event (Image: Supplied)

"Without their generosity and support we could only have dreamt of running an event like this.

"Our theme for the fun day was 'Together We Can' and we did. It was a great example of community spirit and engagement."

The Welcome is the chosen charity of town mayor Cllr Colin Banks and, in his absence, the event was opened by deputy mayor Cllr James McCulloch.

More than 360 guests attended the event at the Chelford Road club, with a minibus put on to shuttle in residents from Longridge and Shaw Heath.

Guests playing Frisbee Golf (Image: Supplied)

Entertainment, live music and a sing-a-long was provided by local band The Sapphires, with Jonathan Hills, of the Knutsford Beats Choir, ran a karaoke event. SMB Dance also performed three routines.

Stalls were set up on the day selling everything from food to toys, including a teddy tombola.

But the 'star of the stalls' was Peter Murray, from Pulse of Perfumery, who brought an array of products packaged at fun day prices, allowing delighted guests to leave with something special. 

Volunteers from the Toft Taverners engaged with guests on a number of activities, while giant Connect4, Frisbee Golf, giant Jenga, cricket nets, Beat the Goalie, a trampoline and a bouncy castle kept everyone entertained.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and community police officers also attended the day, which was catered with a barbecue, supplied with award-winning burgers and hot dogs from Woods Butchers.

Simon added: "We used the fun day to make people aware of The Welcome100Club.

"We are hoping to find 100 local private donors who are willing and able to donate £10 per month or more.

"This is to help The Welcome to continue to provide the support services our community needs and deserves. We already have five supporters and we gained four new pledges at the fun day.

"On behalf of The Welcome we would like to thank all of our sponsors, supporters, volunteers and guests who together ensured our fun day was enjoyable and successful."