Fun Day in Roehampton Playing Fields Last Saturday 30 July, over 150 people came to the Roehampton Playing Fields which was buzzing with activity, music, sports and information about local organisations; all good ingredients for a great Cranstoun Community Fun Day.

Organised by Cranstoun, a national charity helping over 15,000 people and their families each year by supporting their recovery from drugs and alcohol dependence, this first Community Fun Day aimed to increase community cohesion in the borough, encourage diversity and positive thinking and also offer positive engagement, career advice and training possibilities to young people and families.

This event would not have been possible without the help of the British Army who displayed a fantastic inflatable assault course, a paintball range for all to try, information concerning the Territorial Army duties and what careers are available with their section. While people were jumping around these activities, the local Safer Neighbourhood Teams patrolled and did UV markings on phones for those who wished. Meanwhile, children had the opportunity to get their faces painted at one of the stalls, families stopped at the Cranstoun drugs & alcohol awareness workshop and Connexions stand, members of the public enjoyed interviewing one another for the local radio station and the rest of the public got the chance to check out the Wandsworth Fire brigade truck and ask them all sorts of questions concerning their role.

The highlight of the day was the football tournament organised in partnership with Cranstoun, Arsenal in the Community and the Doverhouse lions club. 15 teams aged from 8 to 16 years took part in the event. Doverhouse Lions won the under 9 category, United All Stars won the under 11 and Doverhouse Lions won the under 16.

Desmond McDonald, Youth Worker at Cranstoun and one of the organisers of the day stated: “This is the first of a series of annual Fun Days to come. Cranstoun is about prevention and helping those who are affected by drugs and alcohol. It is also about working within the local community and strengthening partnerships with local organisations. If it can be linked to fun such as this event, it can only be a positive thing.”

Sophie Erpicum Cranstoun Communications Manager Based on information supplied by Sophie Erpicum.