The annual Picnic in the Park is all about providing a wonderful day out for all the family and due to the generosity of our partners we also make a profit each year. The sponsorship money covers all our expenses such as licenses, road closures, toilets and other expenses; which means that any money we do raise from stalls, raffle and bucket shake can go towards local causes. Since we started we have donated all our profits to the Wiggins Playing Fields (The Meadows) and to the Lounge. This year we are focusing on one of our ‘outlying’ villages – Hopwood. They are desperate for some play equipment (we have three sets in Alvechurch..) so this year we are going to support them; as well as the Lounge. We did have other applications but on voting we felt that this was closest to the ethos of the Picnic in the Park – it’s all about the children, it’s maintained and managed by the Parish Council and it’s a tangible project.
Hopwood Childrens Play Equipment Project
They are trying to raising £30,000 for more and better children’s play equipment at the Hopwood community centre play park, opposite Smedley-Crooke place. Hopwood has many children with ages ranging from toddler to teen and there simply isn’t enough play equipment in the park for their children to use and enjoy. Alvechurch Parish Council has agreed to set aside £5000 as a start up contribution. There is a group of Hopwood moms who are surveying Hopwood residents to see what equipment their children would like to use in the park. They will also be fund raising to help pay for the equipment. Local spokeswoman Samantha Lewis said, “We are asking local businesses if they could contribute and in turn we will publicise their name on a plaque in the park. We have set up a Facebook page and an email address if businesses or individuals would like to get in touch for more information. You can also find us on Facebook. Any and all contributions are welcome.”
The Picnic will be setting aside up to 50% of any profits raised from this year’s Picnic. Hope you can support this worthy cause and The Lounge.