Chiswick Park Yellow Umbrella Day 2009

Fundraising family day out including live music, BBQ, cake bake contest, fairground attractions and much more

Chiswick Business Park is set to host its seventh annual Yellow Umbrella Day on Sunday 20th September 2009.

Following the success of the last popular fundraising event, Chiswick Park is once again extending an invitation to the local community and guests on the Park for a fun-filled day.

This year’s event promises to exceed last year’s efforts, with even more exciting attractions planned and three deserving children’s charities – all of which are helping change children’s lives for the better - benefiting from the day.

Central to the day will be special fundraising activities catering for all levels of ability. These include a gentle 5km walk, the ‘mini umbrella’ which should be achievable for most participants. Those with energy to burn and stamina to match may enter the ‘runbrella’, the 10km fun run. This year, Chiswick Park is also inviting toddlers to participate in what will be known as the ‘woddle’ – a 10 metre version for smaller children. All activities begin and end at Chiswick Park and the circular route along the Thames allows walkers and runners to take in some of Chiswick’s best sights.

But Yellow Umbrella Day is more than just a walk or run – it will be a memorable family day out including many other activities such as live music including live music from Blondie tribute band – ‘So Blondie’, and two local bands which will be performing on the main stage: Madhen and The Hanging Baskets. There will be a BBQ and Bar, Cake Bake Contest, Street Performers, Fairground attractions, Pony Rides, Giant Games, Face-painting and much more.

Visitors of all ages will be able to take part in a range of activities throughout the day on the Park. There will also be a special prize draw to win a Disney Lithograph; an exclusive movie screening for you and 53 friends in Paramount’s Chiswick Park Cinema; a meal for two at the Union Chiswick; as well as much more. There will also be a Cake Bake contest, pony rides, children’s entertainers and food stalls all of which will be held on the Chiswick Park events square.

The day provides the perfect opportunity for participants to raise sponsorship money for Yellow Umbrella’s beneficiaries (although donation is optional). This year three exceptionally worthy children’s organisations, (one local, national and international) will profit from Chiswick Park’s efforts. These are:

The Kids' Cookery School (KCS) is a unique cookery school for children and young people in Acton, West London. The school teaches around 2,500 students each year how to cook and eat healthy food. KCS believe that all children should have the opportunity to learn cookery and welcomes students with special needs (physical, learning or behavioural).

The Log Cabin provides inclusive adventure play for children and young people aged 4-15 who have special needs or disabilities or who are in need. The aim is to make a positive difference to the lives of children who have disabilities or special needs by providing exciting and stimulating play opportunities in a safe, caring and fun environment.

The Shooting Star Trust Children’s Hospice - Fundraising started in 1995 in order to build the children’s hospice for terminally ill children in West London and North Surrey. The hospice, due to open in Hampton later this year, will provide care and support for up to 1,500 children and their families, 365 days a year.

Niamh McEnery Community Manager at Chiswick Park Enjoy-Work and Manager of Yellow Umbrella Day, said, “Yellow Umbrella Day is about bringing the whole community together and having a great time, while raising money for charity in the process. There really is something for everyone – from those wanting to join in one of the events to those who just want to relax and enjoy the entertainment – and it will all be helping raise money to help change a child’s life.”

The entertainment and the mini umbrella and runbrella all start at 11am on Sunday morning, but those competing in the events must register. Registration can be completed online at www.yellowumbrelladay.com or from 09:45am at the Park on the day of the event.

September 9, 2009