You’re all winners, TV’s Alex tells kids
THIS is the adorable moment CBeebies star Alex Winters surprised a full nursery class with the news that they’d won tickets to this weekend’s Geronimo festival.
Organisers of the three-day event at Arley Hall had teamed up with the M.E.N.’s Manchester Family to give one child the chance to win a family ticket for themselves – and everyone else in their school year.
Dorothy Walsh and her classmates at St Mary’s RC Primary School in Swinton, cheered as the children’s TV favourite turned up unexpectedly to give them the news.
The four-year-old and the other 29 children in her nursery class were chosen for their efforts in raising money for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital – a place valued more than ever in the wake of this week’s terror attack at the arena.
Dorothy’s dad Matt, from Swinton, had entered the competition saying the children deserved it for raising money with their Teddy Toddle Day last week.
Alex told them: “I heard you did a big teddy toddle and in doing that you raised lots of pennies and pounds for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
“I think you should give yourselves a huge round of applause because you boys and girls have done something great there. You have all been helpers and I think this week we have seen lots of helpers all around our city and you have been helpers.”
The festival, which is offering camping for the first time, is one of the most anticipated family events of the year.
The line-up includes a host of kids’ TV stars including Alex, Andy Day, Justin Fletcher, Mr Bloom, Katy Ashworth, Cook and Line and YouTube favourite Amazing Arabella.
The three-day extravaganza, running from Saturday to Monday, is aimed at children aged between two and 12 and the site will be split into 10 zones - 3ft And Under, Adrenaline, Circus, Pasture, Funky Junk, Library, Curio-City, Arena, Geronostage and Theatre.
The new Curio-City will feature weird and wonderful attractions including the cool Camera Obscura, while Spinney Hollow will have lots of activities for children of all ages.
To book your tickets, log on to www. geronimofest.com . For further information, find Geronimo Fest on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ GeronimoFestival .