A COMMUNITY day held to "bring people together" and to help raise funds for an 11-year-old with a brain stem tumour has been hailed as a "fantastic success".
Kai Yearwood, from Kenley, visited the event, held on Sanderstead Recreational Ground on Saturday (September 27), with his family, who are raising funds to provide therapy and fulfil Kai's dream of completing his bucket list.
The day was the idea of Sanderstead couple Tim and Amanda Ashton, who transformed a disused toilet and bus stop next to the recreational ground into Priscilla's Tea Room earlier this year.
"One of the things that we wanted to do as part of opening was to have a hub to bring the community together, so the idea of having a community day was part of that," said Amanda, who works with Tim at Riddlesdown Collegiate.
"We wanted to get people using the park and raise money for Kai, as well as to mark our official opening."
Amanda said at least £250 had been raised for him in a bucket collection and raffle.
"The local shops along the parade helped by donating prizes. Everyone came together on the day, and people said it was really great to see the park full of people."
As well as the raffle and bucket collection, hundreds of people perused stalls set up by local charities, groups and businesses.
There were also performances by students from Dynamic Theatre Arts Academy and a display by local artist Aquinas.
Earlier on in the day, Councillor Yvette Hopley did the honour of officially opening Priscilla's Tea Room.
"Councillor Hopley cut the ribbon for the opening ceremony, altogether it was a fantastic day," said Amanda.
