Circus fun in the sun at Family Fun Day

Circus fun in the sun at Oakhaven’s Family Fun Day

On Saturday, 28th June, Oakhaven Hospice welcomed supporters from across the New Forest, Totton and Waterside area to a family fun day, with over 1,200 people attending during the course of the day. The popular annual event has raised over £23,500, all of which will help to fund the hospice’s running costs.

Oakhaven’s traditional summer fayre had something for all the family, this year with an exciting circus theme. A circus show and workshops delighted children throughout the afternoon, along with a magic show, an animal farm, inflatables and plenty of other activities for children, including a workshop and performance by New Forest Academy of Dance.

Everyone enjoyed browsing the Oakhaven fundraising stalls, including the popular plant and cake stalls and the infamous ‘bric-a-brac alley’, and trying their luck in the raffles and tombolas.

Oakhaven’s Community and Events Fundraising Manager, Jill West, said: “We would like to thank everyone who came along to our Family Fun Day. It was great to see so many families enjoying a traditional summer fayre in the sunshine. Many thanks to everyone who donated or baked items for us to sell or use as prizes. A big thank you also to all the volunteers who donated their time to help set up, man stalls, and take down the event. Without you, we simply wouldn’t be able to host such a wonderful event.

“In particular, we would like to thank our headline sponsor, John D Wood & Co, and the other local businesses that supported the event as stand sponsors: Parker Bullen, New Forest Ice Cream and New Forest Academy of Dance. Your financial support has helped cover some of the event costs.

“Demand for Oakhaven’s vital services grows every year, and at any time our specialist teams are caring for over 450 patients and their families - not just at the Hospice, but also in patients’ homes throughout our New Forest, Totton and Waterside communities.

“It currently costs £9 million a year to fund Oakhaven’s services, yet just 11% of Oakhaven’s funding is covered by the NHS. For the remaining 89% our charity relies on your kind donations, fundraising, gifts in wills and income from the Oakhaven charity shops and home care provider, Oakhaven Care Ltd.”

Next year’s Oakhaven Family Fun Day will be on Saturday, 27th June 2026 - save the date in your diary!

To find out more about how you could help Oakhaven with a donation, fundraising or a gift in your will, please visit www.oakhavenhospice.co.uk/support-us, or contact the Fundraising Team directly on 01590 677773 or fundraising@oakhavenhospice.co.uk.