Our Ryde branch is passionate about supporting our local community. Each year we hold a charity event to raise money and awareness for local projects and organisations that could do with a little help.
Our branch wanted to support St. Mary’s Primary School so they can get involved in the local Mardi Gras Festival.
Inspired by the New Orleans Mardi Gras, Latin and Caribbean carnivals, the event aims to showcase the very best of children and young people’s carnival experience through learning, creating and performance.
We heard the School had never been involved before due to financial reasons and we decided to help raise money so they can experience this unique event.Our manager Alexis played an important role in teaching the children how to create effective designs and the whole team dedicated six weeks to go into the school and work directly with the children, teachers and parents to produce the costumes and rehearse the dance for the parade.
On the day two members of our team were directly involved with the parade and over a quarter of the school turned up to be in the Carnival with many others watching and supporting from the side. The day its self was a massive success and the children danced and smiled all the way round.
We are really proud of what we have achieved and would like to thank everyone for their support!
In addition, we recently raise money for the sensory garden at Binstead Primary School by holding a cake sale in branch.This space will become a sanctuary where children can take time to reflect, learn and grow their own plants. We even made time to visit and get hands on with the creation of the garden.