The day started with a dull look, cloudy skies and many supporters of the Friends Of The Firs Charity Society running around with balloons and bunting. As the hour drew near to opening the car park of the Firs had been transformed into a Gala in stature close only to the funds that had been raised. A Bouncy Castle stood a waiting for its junior bouncers, a Skittle Alley and Dart Booth adorned the car park awaiting records to be broken. A blaze of colour filled the adjoining side of the car park where Jane Perks and her Line Dancing troupe stood preparing to entertain and bring their magic of fun and formation line dancing to the spectators, on what was sure to be the pinnacle of the year.
It was August Bank Holiday Monday at the Firs, a day that through the relentless dedication of Mike Williams has become known as Charity Day at the Firs.
With Lottery collections, Raft Regattas and other fund raising events behind us over the last year the day had come to put smiles on the faces of suffering children, to raise the hopes of those less fortunate than us and to show to the world that community spirit was alive and well in the area of Castlecroft. This year would surpass the figures from years before, the cheques adorning the premises waiting to be presented amounted to a staggering £6450, but it was not to end their. Not content with their efforts Supporters Of Friends Of The Firs were intent on putting the icing on the cake, the preverbal hat trick of the season. The funds raised through the barbeque, skittle alley, dart booth, sponge bashing, and tom bola was to be donated to two further worthwhile charities, both so very close to our heart. We see children play in the streets, smile with the youthful look of innocence but forget the woes that could lie beneath. Without our benefactors for today’s proceedings Children with Leukaemia and Children With Diabetes, these youths stricken by those cruel diseases would be unable to look forward to enjoy the way of life we take for granted. But not content with this Mikes enthusiasm for local charities had become infectious. Local business and people were taken in by his zest for support and a new theme had been added to the day’s events. A charity auction was afoot to be run at the peak of the days events, a kitchen donated by Room2Room to be fitted by Wulfrun Builders, a professional SLR camera, a top of the range mountain bike and a karma chameleon phone made famous by BT advertising was set up to be sold to the highest bidder.
As 12 noon came and passed the customers were not to be put off by the light drizzles, they sat regardless with spirit to enjoy the day and make sure that the efforts of the prior year were not to be blown away by the temperate of the British weather. Jane & her troupe showed their flair for making people enjoy themselves, children bounced and banged relentlessly on the bouncy castle, darts were thrown and balls bowled to beat the highest scores. Chips seemed to flow continually from the kitchens and hot dogs and burgers found their way onto baps and the beer flowed. By the time the presentations were upon us the premises was full and Mikes voice boomed across the car park as the charities collected their cheques. The view of a brand new mini bus brought by the Happy Society thanks to funds raised by the Firs and other local supporters stood in the background, a visual statement to what can be achieved when communities stand together. The Happy Society who look after the severely disabled collected £2000, Compton Hospice £1000, the MS Centre £1000, Guide Dogs for the Blind £750, Penn Hospital £500 and as always those closer to us the Castlecroft Cobras £200 and Firs FC £500. With a further figure of £500 to be donated by W.D.Breweries to the Firs AFC this makes the donation charity to be £6950!!
By four o’clock an atmosphere hung in the air as the auction began and people bid for the smaller of the items aware every penny then bid would go to charity. But the big item stood to come up to the hammer, Tony Hill, a local business man, had put up a kitchen to be fitted by Wulfrun Building Services up for auction totally gratis, the bids began and a hush fell across the proceedings and the bidding began. From the opening bid it was clear that this was to be no mean sum, from £400 the bidding rose in increments of £50 and as Mike started to become either hoarse or elated, who knows which, the figure bounced in excess of £1000! At £1100 two locals of the Firs bid to the last to reach a staggering £1250! There are no words that express the atmosphere as the hammer fell and reality hit that the day’s events were to add nearly £2250 to the funds raised over the last year. The day could not be complete without the opportunity for the patrons to take their revenge, Mike (The Gaffer) Williams & Steve (Bars Bad Boy) Humphries alias the Dirty Den and Phil Mitchell of the Firs. With heads securely fitted in a construction made in house to suit such reprebates, by Mike himself, sponges were soaked in water and firing arms were prepared, on the sound of fire as the whites of their eyes became clear war was declared and the patrons of the Firs threw their sponges with venom. After a stretch of torture fit only for a person on the green mile they retired gracefully wet but happy their efforts were for charity. As the daytime drew to a close the night grew nearer and the patrons looked forward to the entertainment of the night. Ken’s Karaoke was to put the candle in the iced cake so supporters and customers alike could enjoy the efforts of the day. A mark was to be stamped on the 25th August 2003. The day that those patrons of the Firs, loyal to the beliefs set down by the founders of the charities country wide, can hold their heads high and say I came, I saw, I supported, I made my mark to fight the battle of suffering and brought hope to those less fortunate than ourselves. I may speak for myself, but hope for all of you, when I say I am proud to be a patron of the Firs!