kanagaroos charity

Kangaroos charity creates magical memories at Disneyland

Michelle Heaton with Kanagaroos

Michelle Heaton with Kanagaroos

Last month pop star Michelle Heaton joined 21 children from the charity Kangaroos in Disneyland Paris to enjoy their chosen ‘Memory of a Lifetime’. The visit was part of local charity Kangaroos 25th Anniversary as it celebrates 25 years supporting children in Sussex.

Michelle Heaton and her family joined the Kangaroos group in Disneyland Paris where they started an unforgettable day meeting Mickey & Minnie Mouse in Walt Disney Studios, followed by practising their cooking skills, producing a Tutti Frutti dish, and harnessing their creativity by customising Mickey ears during two workshops.

Cuckfield resident and Kangaroos 18+ member Siobhain Lee said: “My favourite ride was the Ratatouille ride, the food was good, the hotel was big and it was good fun sharing with my friends and having a giggle (and the parade was excellent)!”

“I just know how excited she was about time away without parents,” Siobhain’s mum Jane explained. “She had a fabulous time doing all the things the group wanted to do, rather than having to negotiate with the family about it. Thank you.”

Tree Festival great success for Kanagaroos

Cuckfield Christmas Tree Festival 2018

Last month Holy Trinity Church hosted the 16th annual Christmas Tree Festival.

On display were 78 trees decorated by clubs, schools and societies. The Planning Group work on the details for months prior to the event and they were pleased to announce the total fundraising from this year’s weekend was more than £13,500, which will be split between this year’s selected charity – Kangaroos – and the church itself.

Organiser Paul Goldfinch commented: “Bearing in mind that most of the weekend of the Festival it was dreadful weather, I am delighted to say that it did not deter the visitor numbers.”

Local special needs charity Kangaroos was honoured to be chosen as the 2018 partner organisation, especially as it celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2019. Fundraising C o-ordinator Samantha Norgate explained: “We marked the approach of our special year supporting children and young adults with learning disabilities with a show-stopping tree with a silver theme with the presents underneath wrapped and decorated by our teenage members.

“On behalf of everyone at Kangaroos, I would like to thank all the Cuckfield Christmas Tree Planning Group, especially Sue Towns who liaised with me over the last year to ensure everything ran smoothly, as well as all the wonderful volunteers who made this unique community event such a success and to so many of our Kangaroos families, friends and general public for all their support.”

www.justgiving.com/campaign/Kangaroos25thAnniversary