There are occasions in everyone's life when they were just grateful to take part, and Bank Holiday Monday at The Firs Inn was one of those times.
To bring everyone up to speed the Firs Inn has spent the last year collecting monies through a Lottery Game, Bank Holiday events and the Bridgnorth Lions Raft Regatta , on Monday 26th August it was presentation time.
The day started well, even the British weather behaved, with a Skittle Alley, Tombola, Bouncy Castle, Line Dancing and a barbeque (& no I didn't poison anyone with my cooking, well not deliberately anyway!) with, in theme with the day, all funds to charity.
When 3.30pm came, the food stocks were exhausted, Jayne Perks & her wonderful line dancing troupe had sore feet and the tombola prizes were all but gone, but no one minded as it was the time that everyone had worked so hard towards. Sarah Fellows, an Inpatient Coordinator collected £350 towards pictures for the new psychiatric ward at New Cross Hospital. Ray Woodhouse, a volunteer, collected a cheque for £1000 on behalf of Compton Hospice. Geoff Woodford, the fundraising co-ordinator for Air Ambulance received £1000. Andrew Petty, a charge nurse for the elderly from wards T2 & T3, collected £350 for the Geriatric Department at New Cross Hospital. Last but by no means least, and I have left this to last to mention because this was the moment of pride for us all, was Dorothy Hadley M.B.E. Dorothy is an old friend of the Firs and represents the Guide Dogs For The Blind, she was elated to receive a cheque for £1000 and told us why this particular presentation meant so much to her. Recently her own guide dog had passed away aged 13 and it was very upsetting for her but receiving this cheque and all the support from Michael & the Firs would ensure that the blind can always have a loyal friend and guide. She really is a wonderful lady!
With sponsorship cheques also going to Firs F.C for £500 and £100 to the Castlecroft Cobras we start the support for a good season ahead for our own football teams.
With all the presentations made and Michael a little lost for words, makes a change doesn't it, this stage of the day came to an end, but I did manage to catch up with him for a few words.
"It's been a great day and it made the efforts over the last 12 months worthwhile. The support I have had has been fantastic and I don't think this would be such a success with it. Names that come to mind are Joan Humphries, Tony Hill and Pat Hart who have been my total support in all the charity events & administration, and Jayne Perks for the Line Dancing and all those who helped today. But most of all the biggest thanks goes to the customers of the Firs for their continued support and my family for always being with me in all the ventures."