TV stars heading for resort charity wonderland event

One Great Day – a major UK-wide fund-raising event – will be held in Blackpool town centre next Saturday.

It will feature live performances in town by BBC children’s TV stars plus fun and games inside the Houndshill shopping centre.

Houndshill has linked up with Blackpool BID and Healthy High Streets for the day which will raise money for both Great Ormond Street Hospital and Blackpool-based charity Aspired Futures.

Aspired Futures provides therapeutic support to vulnerable children and young people across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.

With an Alice in Wonderland theme, there will be live entertainment, chances to win prizes and special guest appearances.

Cbeebies stars Cat Sandion, Rebecca Keatley and Mr Yipadee will be appearing in St John’s Square,

Debbs Lancelott, Houndshill centre manger, said: “This is going to be a wonderful day of family entertainment, fun, games, activities and special appearances by our friends from Cbeebies.

“It will be a colourful and creative day for all the family which we feel sure will raise a lot of money for two hugely deserving causes that do so much nationally and locally to help children. We are going to transform the centre into our very own Wonderland. We will have a craft activities area where children can make Mad Hatters Hats and masks, have their face painted as well as a magical photo booth to get a picture in a Tea Party setting with characters from the film.”

Children’s TV stars Cat, Rebecca and Mr Yipadee will be performing on stage in St John’s Square (from 12pm to 4pm) as part of the BID-organised open air event as well as making appearances inside Houndshill throughout the day. The St John’s Square stage will be decorated with Blackpool’s own Alice in Wonderland Illumination pieces.

As part of the fun and games inside Houndshill, which begins at 10am, Millie’s Cookies will be having a Queen of Hearts cookie decorating table and Greggs will be giving out heart shaped cookies.

Stores in Houndshill are raising sponsorship money to take part in the White Rabbit Races while Wonderland characters will be mingling with the customers performing magic tricks and entertaining visitors.