South Shields’s residents have partied in style over the weekend to celebrate two inspirational people. Whilst the Queen enjoyed her 90th Birthday Patrons’ Lunch on the Mall, Emma was in Greenside Drift on Westoe Crown Village to open a very special street party. The Village was alive with the sounds of music and fun to wish Her Majesty a Happy Birthday but also to remember Charlie Cookson, raising funds for the charitable foundation set up in Charlie’s memory by his parents, Sarah and Chris Cookson. The charity supports families with children who have life limiting conditions so that they can spend as much precious time together as possible without financial worries. It also raises awareness of the impact of caring on families. Since setting up in 2013, the Charlie Cookson Foundation have provided around £100,000 of support to 28 families.
Emma said, “I am always proud to open great community events in South Shields but I am particularly proud to open this event. Sarah and Chris are an inspiration and it must have been devastating when they lost their amazing little boy, aged just two and a half. But instead of giving up they made sure Charlie’s fighting spirit lives on by supporting other families with seriously ill children. I know Sarah and Chris were very proud of Charlie and I’m sure that he is just as proud of them and the work they do in his name.”
The event was a fantastic example of community spirit, brilliantly organised by Angela Hamilton and sponsored by local businesses including Minchella’s, Tesco Express Westoe Crown, Ladybird Face Painting and Bounce North East. The Peoples Mission Junior Brass Band and local DJ Danny Kyle provided the music and local people gave generously to the raffles, tombolas and competitions.
Sarah and Chris not only thanked Angela and Emma, but also everyone involved, saying “We love these events and we know our angel Charlie would have loved them too.”
