Fete raises over £1,000 for Balloons charity

The figures are now in from the Late Summer Fete, held on Saturday 17th September at Magdalen Court School and Kinderkare Nursery. This unique community event, spearheaded by Southernhay-based estate agents Naomi J Ryan, has raised an incredible £1,295.49 for bereavement support charity, Balloons.

Based at Basepoint Business Centre in Marsh Barton, Balloons provide much needed support for children, young people and their families before and after the death of someone significant in their lives. Speaking about the success of the day, Naomi of Naomi J Ryan said “Balloons is a charity close to my heart. It’s been an honour working alongside them to bring this event to life and knowing how much the funds raised will help them in providing vital services. For example, £1000 will cover the cost of running a volunteer grief support worker group for a whole year. The extra £200 raised on top of that could pay for an activity day at Haven Banks for 5 children”.

Collaborating closely on the event were Ofsted rated nursery, Kinderkare. Overwhelmed by the amount of people who came along, Kinderkare Deputy Manager, Katie Quick, says “we thoroughly enjoyed the whole afternoon. Seeing all the children and their families laughing and having fun, whilst helping us raise so much for Balloons, was amazing”.

A large part of the success can be attributed to the organisations all across Exeter who generously donated either an activity, or a prize towards the raffle held on the day. From the University of Exeter Students’ Guild donating garden games and a bouncy castle, to Passmore Care Services donating a face painting station, the mix of organisations involved was certainly eclectic. This diversity did not hold back the success of the event, and the day itself represented an old school style summer fete, complete with hook-a-duck, a candy floss cart, and more.

Office, Systems and Events Manager at Balloons, Jo Overton-Pitts, expresses her gratitude “Thank you so much to everyone who worked so hard to make the Summer Fete a success. The funds raised will make a big difference to a small local charity like Balloons and will help us to support more bereaved children in Exeter, Mid and East Devon. We simply couldn’t do the important work we do without the support of the local community”.

Riding off the success the inaugural late summer fete, Naomi J Ryan is already planning a repeat of the family-fun filled day next year, along with other events to raise funds for Balloons, “watch this space”!