There was something magical in the air as families arrived for our third edition of Orange Aid on Saturday 20 June. With the sun shining and over 400 guests joining us, our annual family fun day was once again filled with unforgettable moments.
Orange Aid has become one of the highlights of the #TeamOrange calendar – a chance for Challengers families to step away from the pressures of everyday life and spend quality time together in a welcoming, inclusive space where everyone belongs. Whether it was children trying something new, parents catching up with friends, or siblings sharing adventures together, the day was all about making memories.
There was no shortage of things to see and do. Families climbed aboard the much-loved miniature railway, kindly opened once again by Guildford Model Engineering Society. Others met some very special four-legged visitors from West Heath Alpacas, while Magic Mr Steve amazed audiences with his tricks and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service gave children the chance to get up close to one of their fire engines.
Music filled the air throughout the day, creating the perfect soundtrack to the celebrations. Performances from the Rock Choir and a brilliant set from our very own Paul Wilson, brought people together, with many stopping to sing along or simply enjoy the atmosphere. Keeping everything running smoothly was our fantastic compere, Billy, whose warmth and humour ensured there was never a dull moment.
Of course, no family fun day would be complete without great food. Thanks to the incredible team from Rapid Relief Team UK, everyone was able to enjoy a freshly prepared meal free of charge, giving families one less thing to think about and more time to enjoy everything the day had to offer.
As children explored, played and laughed together, parents and carers had the opportunity to relax, chat and connect with other families who understand the joys and challenges of raising a disabled child. Those moments of connection are just as important as the activities themselves and are at the heart of what Orange Aid is all about.
Events like Orange Aid are only possible because of the generosity of our community. We’re incredibly grateful to our event sponsors, The Eaves Counselling and Psychology and Digi Reach, whose support helped bring the day to life, and to our amazing staff and volunteers, whose enthusiasm, kindness and endless energy created such a warm welcome for every family.
As the day drew to a close, tired feet and happy faces told the story better than words ever could. Seeing so many families leave with smiles, new memories and a chance to simply enjoy being together is exactly why Orange Aid exists.
To everyone who joined us, thank you for making our third Orange Aid so special. We hope you enjoyed every minute as much as we did, and we can’t wait to welcome you back next year.
We’d like to thank everyone who helped make the event so wonderful, including:
- Our wonderful guests for coming along
- Our staff and volunteers for giving their time
- Rock Choir and Paul Wilson for the wonderful tunes
- West Heath Alpacas team for bringing along their furry friends
- Magic Mr Steve for bringing the magic
- Guildford Model Engineering Society for taking our families along for the exciting train rides
- Rapid Relief Team UK for providing free meals
- The Eaves Counselling and Psychology and Digi Reach for their sponsorship
- Local fire crew for coming along in their vehicles
- Our Leaders and staff whose stalls added fun to the festival