It is nearly a year since Community Spirit Newton Aycliffe restarted its family discos since the Covid lockdown and we thought it would be a good time to update everyone on what we have been doing.
Our monthly family discos, supported by the Big Club, have been a continuous success with thanks going to Catherine Laverick, Shirley at Tesco, KD Disco, Mellys Glitter Bar, Cake ‘n’ Bake, Candy Queen and all our regular volunteers who help run the discos in their spare time. We are trying to make each disco different with special guests, different activities and our new photo booth where kids and adults can make memories that will last.
Each disco we have raffles and sell hot dogs and raise approx £100 each month to give to other charities or small community groups. So far we have helped Shine Choir, Prickly Haven, Live Edge Woodwork, Children’s Blessings and Aycliffe Cancer Support Group. If you know of any group who would like our support, please contact us: communityspiritaycliffe@gmail.com.
We would like to acknowledge achievements of people who go above and beyond for our town and have given out numerous Community Spirit Awards, as an acknowledgment of our thanks. If you know anyone who you would like to nominate, please email us.
Our Christmas ventures were amazing, and as usual we had so much fun. It is such a privilege to work with the local police and Mr & Mrs Claus to see the smiling faces of the young children.
We raised over £4000 with our grotto and street collections and donated money to Junction 7, Lifeline Community Action, NASSL, Five Acres and Community Spirit. With our funds we were able to visit all of the nursing homes and give gifts to those who have no visitors at Christmas time, and also hampers and toys to families in need. We have also donated money to St. Oswald Pre-School to help them complete their sensory wall and we continue to help people in times of need.
Most recently we had the opportunity to raise money to pay for a truck to travel to Poland with a full load of essential goods for the Ukranian people. This wouldn’t have been possible without the huge generosity of people who donated large amounts of their own money, I won’t mention names but they know who they are. Thanks to The Big Club, Thames Butchers and Bewick Crescent Surgery for having our collection tubs and a big thank you to Richmond Golf Club, Bishop Auckland Golf Club, Evolve Fostering and Great Aycliffe Town Council for their very generous donations. The Newton Aycliffe truck left for Poland on Thursday 24th March.
It has been a whirlwind of a year with so much going on, please accept our apologies if we haven’t acknowledged someone, there are too many people to remember.
Cllrs Nev & Jo Jones and The Big Club will continue to sponsor both monthly discos. The family discos are 5.30-7.30pm, 50p a ticket – please contact Jo on 07436 803533 for tickets and the All Disability Matters Disco 8.30-10.30pm is £1 a person, pay on the door. The next disco is our Easter Spectacular with a visit from the Easter Bunny on Friday 8th April, please come along to join the fun.
Community Spirit Newton Aycliffe is a joint effort and we wouldn’t be able to do what we do if it wasn’t for the amazing people who support us in our ventures, we would like to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.
