Heather beats lockdown for VE Day fundraising party

Picture: Heather and son Daniel get ready for Friday's big event

Our office manager Heather has had a cracking idea to raise money for us! She’s inspired all her neighbours to hold a socially distanced street party for VE Day on Friday and says the response has been fantastic.

“I’ve posted flyers around all the houses and set up a Facebook group to keep everyone informed and everyone is so excited!” said Heather.

The #StayAtHome Street Party will involve Heather’s street, Poppy Close, Brayton, near Selby, and the adjoining cul-de-sac, Westbourne Road, and everyone will be raising funds for York Against Cancer.

“We’re having picnics and barbecues in our gardens and each house will be decorated red white and blue,” said Heather.  

One of the neighbours is a musician who’ll be playing 1940s tunes on his keyboard.

Activities such as apple bobbing (each house with their own bowl and apples and a prize for the fastest bobber) will be going on through the afternoon.

There’ll be quizzes, bingo, heads and tails games plus plenty of music and dancing and maybe even a good old 1940s singalong.

“We are all busy making paper chains at the moment and we aim to link the whole street up with the red, white and blue chains, each one measuring 2m long,” said Heather.

“I’m making up prize hampers for the games and also running an honesty raffle with tickets on a central table and a bucket for the money.

“Everyone has been so generous donating prizes - I can’t move in my dining room for alcohol, chocolate and cuddly toys!”

Julie Russell, our general manager, said she was delighted at Heather’s brainwave.

“It will bring people together for some much-needed fun and fundraising as well as reminding everyone on the anniversary of VE Day that this country has beaten tough times before and we will do so again.   As an idea, that’s pretty much perfect.”