A Burns Night supper and auction celebrating all things Scottish is the next fundraising event for a charity which wants to keep together a group of adults with learning difficulties.
The Kingston Guardian is backing the Fircroft Trust’s charity appeal to raise £1m to convert the derelict White Hart pub in Hook into a dream home for its residents, many of whom have conditions such as Down’s syndrome, allowing them to grow old with dignity.
Time is running out for older residents at the old-fashioned homes Fircroft owns, as it faces up to the struggles of steep staircases, no lifts and shared bedrooms.
Fircroft, which was started by a group of parents in the 1980s, will put on poetry and verse for the Burns Night on January 22, from 7.30pm, at the Fircroft Centre in Ditton Road, Surbiton.
Keen poets can choose a poem and recite it or have a poem chosen for them on the evening.
A pub sign from the White Hart, which is due to be demolished this year, will be included in the auction. It was saved for posterity after Chessington resident, Peter Newman, 62, came up with the idea of raising some money from the sale.
The Beechcroft Road resident suggested a former drinker at the pub who has gone on to greater things might put their hand in their pocket to preserve its memory.
He said: “It’s a piece of history isn’t it? A lot of people used to drink in there regularly.
“I haven’t a clue how much it will sell for. It looks good and if it’s painted on both signs you could use it as a room divider.
“It will be interesting to see who turns up. I used to know a guy who went on to become a script writer for The Bill and Eastenders but he’s in Wales now.”
Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children which includes supper and the auction.
Contact fundraiser Susannah Horwood for tickets by email at susannah@thefircrofttrust.org or call 020 8339 6932.
To start donating or for more information about the project visit thefircrofttrust.org/buildingpotential or call Fircroft on 020 8399 1772.
If you have any fundraising ideas call the Kingston Guardian on 020 8399 1772.
Get your fundraising events online at kingstonguardian.co.uk/events
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