Remember, remember the 2 November! Boots UK went bigger, bolder and brighter than ever before as it celebrated the return of its annual bonfire and fireworks night to raise funds for BBC Children in Need, on Friday 2 November. To mark the colourful occasion, Boots UK invited some very special guests from The Greenway Centre to join in with the explosive celebrations.
For this year’s ‘Go bright’ themed event, the Boots UK team continued to champion everyone’s right to feel good, by inviting local children from The Greenway Centre, a Sneinton-based project supported by BBC Children in Need. To spark their excitement, they took part in an exclusive evening of fireworks, fun and festivities, that was sure to light up their lives, as well as the sky.
Una Kent, Director of Communications and CSR for Boots UK, comments: “This event is very close to the hearts of everyone at Boots, and we’re delighted that the children from The Greenway Centre in Sneinton are going to join us for our annual fireworks and bonfire celebrations. This is an evening that positively bursts with the spirit of our colleagues and Nottingham’s community, and is a wonderful way for us all to show support for our very special charity partner, BBC Children in Need”.
BBC Children in Need supports The Greenway Centre with a three-year grant of £90,563 to support the project in providing a safe and secure place where children can try sports and arts and crafts activities that would usually be out of reach to them. Greenway helps to raise the aspirations of some of the most vulnerable children, by providing them with a sense of community and belonging, and helping them to build positive relationships.
Amy Smith, Youth Club Coordinator at The Greenway Centre, said: “Receiving a grant from BBC Children in Need has made a huge difference to the lives of children who are facing multiple challenges in our local community. We’re delighted to have been asked to come along to the Boots Go bright fireworks night – not only is it a special and unforgettable experience for the children at our Youth Club, but it means we can kick-off the fundraising in our local area, and say a huge thank you to everyone who helps make this funding possible!
Continuing with the ‘Go bright’ theme that will be featured in Boots UK stores in the run up to Appeal Day, this year’s event showed that festivals aren’t just for summer. The exclusive evening offered the local children, along with thousands of Boots UK colleagues and their friends and families, the chance to enjoy one of the best fireworks displays in Nottingham, all in aid of BBC Children in Need. As well as authentic street food from local vendors, funfair rides, glitter artists, face painters, stilt and fire performers, and live acoustic music, there were also special appearances from Anne Davies, BBC East Midlands Today presenter, and Pudsey and Blush.
Throughout their 14 year partnership with BBC Children in Need, Boots, together with their amazing customers and colleagues, have raised an incredible £11.5 million. It is hoped that, in their 15th year of partnership, fundraising events such as the annual Go bright fireworks night, and the many other activities taking place across the country, will bring another fantastic year. The monies raised help make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK, by helping to build their confidence and resilience, and giving them the chance to reach their full potential.
Here's what our colleagues and their friends and family got up to on the big night:
Special guests from The Greenway Centre, a BBC Children in Need funded project from Sneinton.
Anne Davies, BBC East Midlands Today presenter, helping to launch our fireworks with Pudsey.