Gate opens for charity

WHAT’S ON EDITOR GORDON BARR HAS NEWS OF A VERY SPECIAL FAMILY EVENT IN NEWCASTLE CITY CENTRE TOMORROW

THE Gate in Newcastle is hosting a family fun day this weekend.

One Great Day promises lots of family fun and prizes to be won between 11am and 2pm tomorrow.

There will also be a special appearance from Pride of the North East award winner Harry Steel.

Harry, 10, was spurred on to raise thousands for heart charities and the Maggie’s Centre in Newcastle, after the tragic early deaths of his uncle and father. He was named Young Fundraiser of the Year at the awards.

Organisers are promising a mix of games and activities including face-painting, craftmaking, table tennis challenge, tombola, a cake sale, colouring in competition, treasure hunt and chances to win lots of great prizes including meal vouchers for venues at The Gate, VIP packages, tickets to Disney On Ice at the Metro Radio Arena, an overnight stay including breakfast at Premier Inn and a chance to meet Princess Beauty and Spidey. Keep a look out for one special sweet stall which will be run by Harry Steel and a golfing challenge which will be run by golfing legend Colin Montgomery’s nephews Alistair and Fergus.

One Great Day is a UK-wide annual fundraising day raising money and support for Great Ormond Street Hospital and local children’s charities.

The Gate is pleased to be working with Maggie’s Newcastle, cancer support specialists based at the Freeman Hospital, as The Gate’s chosen local charity for this event. Inge Johnson Mitchell, centre manager, said: “This is the first year The Gate has taken part in the One Great Day event and we are very much looking forward to it.

“Maggie’s have been fantastic in getting involved with the day itself, with stalls and games, and we expect the day will be fun for all ages.”

A cancer diagnosis can have a profound effect on young children.

Parents can struggle to explain what cancer means to their child, and the child, sensing something is wrong, can become anxious and distressed. With thir active imaginations, children can also imagine the worst in this situation.

The new After-School Kids’ Club at Maggie’s is the first Monday of the month and will take place in the Maggie’s building in the grounds of the Freeman Hospital.

With a kitchen, library and gardens, everything is designed to feel more like a home.

Arts and craft sessions give young people the chance to explore feelings and thoughts about what’s going on within their families.

Karen Verrill is centre head at Maggie’s Newcastle, and said: “We are delighted that The Gate has chosen Maggie’s Newcastle as its local partner.

“The money raised will support our new After-School Club for children who have a family member with cancer.

“Talking with our Cancer Support Specialists can help understand what might be going on during their parent’s treatment and makes the hospital seem much less scary.”