Over 200 children attended Dean Bank Primary School’s Annual Sports Day at the end of last month, writes Ian Machin of the Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust. Team Solan agreed to attend and provide a barbeque, sharing details with parents in attendance of the cancer support that the charity can offer. The weather forecast was a concern, but on the day, it was ideal for a sports day, not too warm, and the rain stayed away.
Children aged seven and younger were involved in the morning, and the older classes were involved after lunch. The yard had been marked out and equipment stationed ready for the creatively planned events, including football dribble, javelin throw, tennis ball balance, speed ladder run and the day finished with different races including sack race and bean bag balance relay races, meaning lots of fun for children and parents alike. A slot had been made in the events schedule for the barbeque, and two tickets were allotted to each child.
The barbeque team challenge was to cook, bun and sauce the 440 burgers and sausages to meet the timed sports day rota. Each team of children and parents visited the separated off barbeque area where care had been taken to minimizing any risk. The process worked a treat and all the children and parents were very complementary about the cooking. Staff said that the children looked happy with their burgers and sausages, and they were excited with their choice. The barbeque was something enjoyable and different, to add to the sports day. It was really good to see the parents enjoying it with their children.
This was the last of three community events held in Ferryhill with Team Solan in attendance, in the last week in June. The purpose of these events is to raise awareness of the services and support that Team Solan can provide to any resident family with any cancer diagnosis or a cancer related bereavement.
All residents (parents and grandparents in this case) are welcome to attend any of our free community events. We recognise that everyone coping with a cancer diagnosis or a bereavement has practical needs that can vary. We aim to provide timely, face to face help, practical, and emotional support and advice to those in need, as its needed. This can range from a taxi to get to hospital or a doctor (often working with Supportive in Ferryhill), to a service need or equipment need in the home (for example, a stairlift), to counselling, wellbeing support and social or entertainment activities in our support hub.
We are helping more families each year and have plans to expand well-established support groups that meet regularly. We hope to vary this approach, to increase awareness across a wider audience, and help many more families. We would like to say a huge thank you to the whole team at Dean Bank Primary School, including all the children and their parents, for having a great Sports Day, and for letting Team Solan share in the day. Thanks especially to everyone attending the BBQ area, and for keeping safe and ensuring that there were no accidents.
Thanks also to the 4Together AAP for their support of the event. Anyone in need of support can call 01388 205294, or email admin@teamsolan.org.uk or visit our website at www.teamsolan.org.uk or call in to one of the shops on Spennymoor High Street to just talk with our support team or register with Team Solan.
Our goal remains, to help improve the quality of life of those families with any cancer diagnosis or any cancer bereavement. No one should have to face cancer alone.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
