Each year the group need to raise £5,000 to operate B.A.B.I.E.S (Babies and Breastfeeding Information Encouragement Support), through which any breastfeeding or pregnant mum can call on the trained counsellors for help during weekly guidance sessions held at the Lanterns Children's Centre in Bereweeke Road, Winchester, where the family fun day was held on Sunday (April 27).
Event organiser Rachel Hardy said more than 600 people attended despite heavy showers, enjoying animals brought by a mobile farm, Magic Dan's brilliant balloon creations, face painting, and taking the chance to view family cars brought by Freeborn Citroen, the Winchester dealership that donated £1,000 to underwrite the costs of staging the event when a previous main sponsor changed its plans.
Winchester MP Steve Brine and his family stayed at the fun day for several hours, enjoying the wide variety of entertainment, which also included craft making, cup cake decorating, and an inflatable planetarium with shows led by an astrophysics expert from Winchester Science Centre.
Steve said: "My family, like so many in Winchester, have a lot to thank NCT B.A.B.I.E.S. for so we will always support events such as this.
"The sheer range of activities on offer for the kids, not to mention baby lambs and rabbits which went down a treat with my two, was manna from heaven so a good time was had by all raising vital funds for a worthy cause. I know a huge amount of work goes into this day so well done to all concerned."
"The day was made a great success by the many volunteers who gave their time and we raised at least £5,300 and will have a final figure in a few days," said Rachel.
"We had superb support from local businesses including Shentons Solicitors and Mediators and JoJo Maman Bebe as well as Freeborn Citroen and many others, plus private individuals, who donated raffle and silent auction prizes as well as cash. The Mums in the Know website also spread our message and I'm sure that also helped boost attendance on such a wet day.
"The silent auction raised £1,800, and the quality of both the food and the venue, with its many rooms and play areas, also made a great contribution. All the parents were really happy that grizzling babies were very rarely heard!
"Mums who need the service will be grateful over the coming 12 months for the efforts everyone made – it was hard work for the organising committee but fun for all."
Pictured; Steve Brine MP and Mickey Mouse celebrate a break in the weather with families at the NCT Winchester Branch's BABIES fundraiser. Picture courtesy of Peppercorn Photo Ltd
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