Christmas Toy Run to the Community Centre in Southport for the Children of Springbrook. 4th December 2016

Christmas Toy Run to the Community Centre in

Southport

4^th December 2016

T

He saying ‘less is more’ certainly wasn’t for this event, as arriving early at Pleasureland in Southport, it was already the hive of activity. People scurrying about taking photographs, others looking at the array of large decorated trucks that were parked up while others were still entering the enclosure, lots of people in costumes were preparing themselves for a very cold trip on the two most beautifully decorated floats, for the long trip to the community centre for Springbrook’s Christmas Party. Although the sun was shining, it was probably the coldest I have felt in a long time, but it didn’t stop the hordes of people busily adding toys to the large LFC bus, which was already packed to bursting with toys and yet more were being added as people drove into Marina Drive in Southport.

The bus crammed with toys

The Food Emporium was a welcome sight for everyone as they bought their tea, coffee and hot chocolate in order to stop their hands from freezing and a great idea by Adam of course!

Food glorious food!

Darren Jones Oc and Amy Longworth Oc were on the gates and let us into the large enclosure. Their faces revealed glowing red cheeks and not from any make-up, but from the crisp, icy air that blew over from the Mersey.

Graham had previously bought some battery LED lights and was busily decorating the car and tinselling the windows. He also went out and snapped a lot of photographs and donated to the TV fund – as the kid's TV had broken, and I believe monetary donations were flooding into the bucket on Santa’s Sleigh, so the TV will also be added to the masses of toys already donated, which is just fantastic!

Pleasureland began to fill to the brim with cars, trucks, vans, buses you name it, everyone wanted to share in the event that had been precision organised over the past 6 months by the amazing Adam Brown. How he got something so wonderful to run so smoothly was definitely down to his perfect planning skills.

The awesome Adam Brown his-elf!

There wasn’t any Christmas carols being played but the car next to us had his CD player blasting out some great rock tracks that everyone was appreciating.

Good tunes from this car!

There were lots of guys dressed as Santa probably one for each child, but great seeing so many people making a conscious effort to do their bit to make the event as special as possible.

One of the many Santa's on the day!

Another Santa

The Mayor had arrived to oversee proceedings as last year – but this year was over 100 times bigger than the last one, and that was classed as a pretty big event at the time, so as you can imagine this was the godfather of all processions!

Adam with the Mayor

One limousine was showing what it could do by tilting to one side and raising up and down much to the surprise of the entertained crowd that had gathered around it, and busily snapping photos of it.

I am sure this car could do back flips as well!

There were 3 ice-cream vans alone which got the attention of not only kids there but adults alike – but far too cold for me to eat ice-cream – never thought I would say that in a million years!

 Jan on one of the floats

Sue, Charlie & Jan

Tracey Oc getting ready for her trip on the float

Jackie getting excited about the procession!

 Some of the Big Rigs

As the deadline for leaving approached everyone formed a line and then started moving slowly towards the entrance.

Ready for the off!

Finally, out onto the open road and from one Pleasureland to another we set off. The gatherers stood waving at the convoy that seriously out-weighed everyone’s expectations. Horns were honking, and lights were flashing as the darkness drew in.  Southport was just coming alive.

Santa will be arriving in style

As the vehicles hit a roundabout the Marshalls were superb holding the traffic back and allowing the procession to stay together to reach its important destination. One such Marshall had his work cut out as he was trying to explain to a driver what was going on and why the traffic had to wait, of course not all the drivers were happy about it, but the show must go on as they say, and go on it did! - Disgruntled driver’s or not!

 The Marshalls who did a fantastic job looking after us!

The only bikes in the procession but the most important!

Pockets of people lined the streets waving along with excited children, some waving glow sticks as the large procession made its way moving slowly past them, and making a thunderous noise as they did so. It was quite overwhelming. Phones and cameras were being held out of car and van windows taking precious photos of the big rigs, massive floats, tastefully decorated cars and of course, the onlookers who had made the extra effort to brave the icy weather to make a stand to support the cause along the route, cementing the memory of a spectacular event. It was hard trying to hold back the emotion that I personally, and I expect a lot of other people felt just by being a small part of this event.

 Leaving Pleasureland

Some of the onlookers

The procession moved slowly allowing people to see just what was happening on the streets of Southport. People were looking out of their windows along the procession route and waving, and one of the most beautiful memories I will take with me was seeing two dogs either side of a downstairs window of a rather large house in Birkdale, looking so, excited as the convoy made its way past. Some children were outside in their pyjamas with their parents and all waving madly at the bright sight that overwhelmed them.

We were wondering just how the people at the Community Centre were going to get the vehicles down the small suburban street – however, we need not have worried everything went smoothly and was obviously well planned in advance.

Parking up we couldn’t wait to get out and go and see what was happening at the Community centre. As we arrived, taking yet more photos along the way. Darkness was now upon us and a crowd of open-mouthed children from Springbrook stood outside, their eyes were wide with excitement at the brilliantly lit up street that was jammed with every vehicle under the light of not just the moon, but from the flashing lights that had been carefully placed to give maximum effect for the waiting children and their parents.

The bus was parked right outside and everyone lent a hand getting the toys from the bus into the centre, a long line of people had formed and donations were passed to the willing participants who then took them a short distance into the centre and laid across a side wall. More and more presents arrived, large toys too, like a rocking horse, along with literally tons of boxes and bags which were filled to the brim.

The children who were less mobile just stared in disbelief at the hordes of presents that were amassed in front of them and still more arrived by the minute as another box or bag was added to the growing pile.

 Looks like Spiderman copped off!

 Loraine, Jackie and Billy having a conflab

The little boy's face bottom right! Beautiful! 

The presents just kept on growing and growing

The Community Centre had laid on soup and food as well as tea and coffee to warm a lot of cold hands and stomachs and very welcome indeed. The food was delicious and the staff worked extremely hard to try and keep the queues to a minimum.

Diane (The Manager) and Linda (Deputy Manager) welcomed everyone with a smile and thanked everyone for their participation. They were overwhelmed with a number of toys that lined a wall of the Centre and wondered how they were going to get everything back to Springbrook.

Manager Diane and Deputy Manager Linda of Springbrook

Graham was asked by Jan if he would take a photo of everyone outside, which proved slightly difficult in the dark, but finally, one was taken and then we all started to make our way home. Surprisingly enough Graham and I were more or less the last to leave, but it will certainly be remembered for being an outstanding event for years to come, that is until next year’s Parade, as no doubt Adam will have thought of something else spectacular to wow the children of Springbrook with.

 In the shadow of darkness

Big warm thanks to:

Adam Brown, Jan Brown, Charlie Brown, Andy Brown, Erika Day, Lee J Ward Kelly, Leeanne New, Tracey Oc, and Stuart, Amy Longworth, Darren Jones, Paige, Kenzie, Sue Aindow, Shannon Louise Shearer Hayden-Fawley, Jackie Meadows, Billy, Loraine, Michael Granby, The Marshalls for their excellent work, Diane and Linda of Springbrook Children’s Home, the catering staff for the food, and to all who donated toys or cash to the worthy cause. Special thanks to Graham for taking the majority of photographs and for getting us to and from the venue.

Two big elves!

 Adam and his Reindeer