Families enjoyed a festival atmosphere at Jewish Care’s Family Fun Day on Sunday June 11 with an action-packed afternoon of activities in the sun, attended by over 1,500 people from across the community.

People across the generations participated in fun, food and entertainment at the event which took place at Aldenham Country Park Events Field, sponsored by the JC. The Family Fun Day raises funds to enhance the lives of residents at Jewish Care’s Anita Dorfman House care home at Sandringham, the charity’s newest care campus on the Stanmore/Hertfordshire borders.

Fun Day guests with Jewish Care-s Adam Overlander-Kaye and Daniel Carmel-Brown CEO

Fun Day guests with Jewish Care's Adam Overlander-Kaye and CEO, Daniel Carmel-Brown

Jewish Care’s Chava Heart mascot welcomed guests with hugs and high fives and children loved zorbing, the climbing tower, toboggan slide, Laser Quest and Last Man Standing.

Younger children enjoyed train rides, chair-o-planes, bungee trampolines, giant inflatables and soft play and the opportunity to collect stickers for their festival lanyards to learn more about Jewish Care as they went round the field.

Keeping cool on the Arctic Toboggan slide

Keeping cool on the Arctic Toboggan slide

At the JC stall, children could try their hand at creating sand art, and in the arts and crafts zone they could make cards and paint giant canvases for care homes residents.

There was also slime-making, face painting, glitter and hair braiding bars, and making butterfly suncatchers with PJ Library — the suncatchers will also be given to care home residents.

Jewish Care-s Chef Academy-s barbeque on the Food Court kept visitors fuelled

Jewish Care's Chef Academy's barbeque on the Food Court kept visitors fuelled

Refreshments kept the fun flowing with a delicious BBQ lunch made by chefs from Jewish Care’s Chef Academy, kosher pizza from Pia Gusto, tasty festival treats of candy floss, popcorn and waffles from Penashe Kosher Food Pop Up, and more refreshments and treats by Jami’s Headroom Café To Go.

Added entertainment from Immanuel College Preparatory School delighted audiences, along with performances from Mouve by Dancing with Louise and Vanessa Class School of Dance.

Lauren Achiam and her husband, who came with their children who are four and six years old, said: “It’s been a great day with loads to do and the kids had so much fun!”

Leon, grandparent of Esti, age five and a half, agreed: “Esti has done all the activities in the craft tent, it’s been very well-planned.

Making suncatchers for Jewish Care Anita Dorfman House residents with PJ Library

Making suncatchers for Jewish Care Anita Dorfman House residents with PJ Library

“We brought her because she was performing in the dancing and we really enjoyed watching her so it’s been a lovely day.”

And Rabbi Eliezer and Rebbetzen Chana Tunk from Bricket Wood & Districts Chabad, added: “Our family had a great time and it’s been lovely to see the community’s support for Jewish Care and see everyone here having fun with their families.”   

Adam Overlander-Kaye, Jewish Care’s director of fundraising and community engagement, said: “Today was all about fun and it was amazing to see so many people and families across the generations having an incredible time together whilst raising much-needed funds.

“This will make a real difference to enhance the lives of residents at Jewish Care’s Anita Dorfman House care home at Sandringham where our inspiring care staff provide care, love and support to them each day and across Jewish Care.

“I’d like to thank everyone from the community who came to support us, including the Jewish Chronicle, Immanuel College Preparatory School and the dance schools who took part, the Jewish Leadership Council for sponsoring volunteer t-shirts and to WWCS IT Support, our raffle ticket sponsor.

“A huge thanks goes to the committee, the volunteers and the professional team for their hard work in making the day such a great success.”