Spring arrives at The Mercury

Families visiting the Mercury Mall in Romford certainly know that Spring has arrived with visits and activities themed around rabbits, chicks, lambs and even Easter Egg Hunts and Easter Bonnets.

 

Visitors to the Centre recently enjoyed country life as the a farm came to the Centre.  The Wellgate Community Farm brought with them a menagie of lambs, chicks, ducks and rabbits for the children to see and handle.  

 

  

Wellgate Community Farm, in Collier Row Road, exists as a focus for community, creating an opportunity for people to grow, make a positive contribution and promote social cohesion. Committed to providing a safe, inclusive place for individuals and groups to develop emotionally, socially, physically and spiritually within a working farm environment.  

 

  

On Good Friday, Frankie’s Club – headed up by St Francis Hospital’s Frankie the Lion - invited the kids to get crafty and make Easter Bonnets and Hats while on both Good Friday and Easter Saturday, there was something for everyone with the Mercury Easter Egg-Stravanza.        

 

 

For a small donation of £2 children could have their faces painted, take part in an Easter Egg Hunt or have their photo taken with the Easter Rabbit and for just £5, they would take part in all three which even included a chocolatey gift from the Bunny.   Located on Level One in the Events area, both days’ activities also raised money for charity with £565.45 being raised for First Step and £623.60 for Saint Francis Hospice.

 

 “We had an absolutely fantastic two days in the Centre,” says Natalie Bayes, Deputy Centre Manager.  “The children obviously enjoyed all the activities available to them and the fact that we raised a total of £1,189.05 for these two charities is fantastic and, once again, shows just how generous our visitors are.”  

 

First Step, in Hornchurch, began in October 1988 in response to a plea from some parents of young children with special needs and/or disabilities. They felt they, and others in similar situations, could benefit from a group where they would be able to talk, share experiences, and provide support for each other in a non-judgmental environment.  

 

The Saint Francis Hospice first opened its doors over thirty years ago and their existence is thanks to a local group of passionate people who supported the ideas and approach of the hospice movement. The theory of prioritising the things that really matter in life and placing humanity above institutional procedure still lie at the heart of the work we do today.    

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