Downham Does Red Nose Day

You may have noticed that on Friday 15th March it was Red Nose Day, and though in its 25^th year, the youngsters of Downham Market have proved that they are still as enthusiastic as ever.

We caught up with two of the many local fundraising events that took place for this year’s Comic Relief.

Hillcrest Pupils Complete Sponsored Swim

A group of friends from Downham Market’s Hillcrest Primary School decided they wanted to get involved in Red Nose Day and landed on the idea of holding their own sponsored swim.

The Year Five pupils (pictured below from left-right) Alice Terry, Abbie Richings, Alfie Randall, Jayden Eaton Smith and Caitlin Penman, set to work organising their event.

At Downham Leisure Centre, having just completed their swim!

Proud Mum Helen Richings explained that the sponsored swim was entirely the children’s own idea and they were encouraged to organise everything themselves. From arranging time off school to booking lane space at Downham Market Leisure Centre.

The sponsored swim took place between 8am and 9am on Red Nose Day, and went very well. Two of the group swam for over a mile each and the other three over 2,000 metres.

What’s more, by selling cupcakes as well as collecting sponsorship money, they raised a very impressive £250 for Comic Relief. Well done!

1^st Downham Market Guides Take Part in Guinness World Record

Meanwhile the 1^st Downham Market Guides proved they were up for a challenge by backing Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton’s bid to set a new world record while raising vital funds for Comic Relief.

Girlguiding groups nationwide crafted giant fabric triangles to help create the world’s largest bunting line, which Helen – a former Brownie herself – displayed along the 2,200-metre Humber Bridge.

Downham Market Guides were no exception and the group of 18 girls, all aged between 10-14, chose to decorate two GIANT sections of bunting, all while dressed in Red Nose Day Red of course.

“I can’t wait to see if I can spot our bunting on the Humber Bridge, we did paint it all in luminous colours!” said Lily, Guide with 1st Downham Market Guides.

Charity Storr, Assistant Guide leader said: “It was a real challenge and we all enjoyed it. The Guides were so creative, even making sure the Downham Market clock was on the bunting! It’s great to think that, by working together, we’ve made a difference to people in need and helped set a world record too.”

A big congratulations to everyone who took part in Comic Relief this year and contributed to the incredible total, which at the time of writing, was a whopping £75,107,851.