Saturday 13th August 2005 showed St Helena Hospice Tendring Centre entering the Clacton on Sea Carnival Procession, which for the Hospice was the first time of what is hoped to be one of many!!!.
From March onwards we arranged to meet regularly to organise our carnival “float” and as the general theme of the procession was based on “Musicals”, it was decided at our Carnival Committee meetings to choose “Mamma Mia” - ABBA, as this year’s theme.
As “Mamma Mia” is set on a Greek Island, a giant sandcastle and Island scene was set along with ABBA songs playing throughout the event. Jo Nicholson, Art Therapist made a great job of painting two giant ABBA covers which featured on the float.
As well as lots of hard work organising the lorry/float, building scenery and producing costumes, it was a great day!! Even the rain didn’t stop anyone from having fun and enjoying the experience.
We were very lucky to have the support of so many of our work colleagues from Colchester, Tendring, Volunteers and Community District Nurses had all joined together in some very scary (only joking) make-up and 70’s disco outfits.
We would like to thank our Clacton Hospice Shop and Warehouse for helping to supply us with many of our props, and thanks to the Walton District Nurses who supplied their own spectacular costumes.
We even achieved acclaim in the local press and on local television news for the Hospice taking part. Many people have commented on how impressed they were to see us be a part of such a community event.
The actual procession itself, with less than half the usual crowd due to the rain, still raised over £4,400 for local Charities of which St Helen a Hospice has been included in past years.
Each year after the carnival procession, the whole week is dedicated to money raising events such as raft races, beer digs, sandcastle competitions and so on, so who knows what next year may bring?
We are now aiming to be selected as the “named” charity for next year’s event.
Lastly…. A big thank you to everyone involved.
Michelle Weller , Nurse Practioner/Macmillan Nurse - St Helena Hospice Tendring Centre, Jackson Road .
|
