Young carers and children in care in West Sussex were treated to a special day out at Hammonds Carnival Funfair in Crawley, ahead of Carers Week 2015.
The event was arranged by Hammonds Carnival Funfair working with West Sussex County Council’s Young People’s Service and due to last year’s success, the event was doubled in size and held over two days during half-term last week.
It follows on from the success of last year’s day out at the funfair held in Southgate Park.
Funfair organiser Monty Hammond and his team welcomed two groups.
One was a group of 50 young carers, who take on the responsibilities in the home because someone in their family is disabled, has been ill for a long time or has other incapacities.
The day was arranged to give them a break from their routine. They all enjoyed their day at the fair with social wristbands to go on all the rides and were given a drink and a snack.
The following day it was the turn of 50 young children in care to enjoy a similar day at the funfair.
On each day the young people were accompanied by their families.
Monty Hammond, veteran funfair organiser from Copthorne, said: “I am delighted once again to invite those from the region’s community with less chance than most to enjoy a day out, to experience all the fun of the fair - a simple pleasure many others take for granted.
“I am pleased that we were able to work with the county council’s young people’s service on the arrangements and grateful for their teams help on the day. To see the smiles on the faces of the children and to see families having fun together in the sunshine makes it all worthwhile.”
Councillor Peter Evans, cabinet member for children - start of life, added: “It’s important for children in care and for our young carers to be able to enjoy a day out.
“So often we take these things for granted, but for these young people it can mean the world. It gave them a few hours away from it all to just have fun and it’s wonderful to see that they all had a lovely time.
“We have been very pleased with the response to the fair here in Crawley over the ten days we visited and the daily support from local people proves that it is as popular as ever.”
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