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

On Saturday, 27th June, Oakhaven Hospice welcomed supporters from across the New Forest, Totton and the Waterside to a family fun day, with over 800 people braving the red-alert heat to attend during the course of the day. The popular annual event raised over £17,000, 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 pirate theme. A bubble show and fun workshops delighted children throughout the afternoon, along with inflatables and plenty of other activities for children and adults alike.

Everyone enjoyed browsing the Oakhaven fundraising stalls, including the ever-popular plant, craft and cake stalls, and trying their luck in the raffles and tombolas.

Oakhaven’s Community and Events 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 fête 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 Cinnamon Care (Mornington Court and Hartwood House) for sponsoring our Fizz Tent. 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 650 patients and their families - not just at the Hospice, but also in patients’ homes throughout our New Forest, Totton and Waterside communities.

“Oakhaven’s services are provided free of charge to all patients and their loved ones. Yet just a small proportion of our costs are covered by the NHS. For the remainder, 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.”