Tag: kids

Sunderland Student’s Design Goes Into Production For SAFC Ladies

By on 10th November 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

A Sunderland teenager who won a merchandise design challenge set by SAFC Ladies Football Team has seen her entry go into production…

As part of this year’s Work Discovery Week event, a week of activities linking schools from across the city with businesses from across the region, young people were asked to create a new item of merchandise for the Lady Black Cats.

It was the design by 13-year-old Bobbi Bunker from Hetton School which took first prize, beating off competition from schools across Sunderland with her design for a special cup.

The cups have now been produced and will go on sale for £5 at the Ladies home matches next season, or can currently be ordered online by clicking here.

“We chose Bobbi as her design was bright and useful, she had considered the market and tailored her design to suit the team and the brief,” said Sonia Kulkarni, General Manager of SAFC Ladies.

“We are delighted that it’s now been produced and has gone on sale as part of our range of merchandise.”

Also taking place during Work Discovery Week was a careers fair at the Stadium of Light, business visits, workshops, business problem solving challenges and a range of hands-on activities.

This year 21 schools and more than 1000 children from Sunderland were involved in the event, which is sponsored by organisations including Gentoo, the University of Sunderland, Sunderland College, Arriva, Nissan, SAFC and Sunderland City Council.

The event is now part of a wider Work Discovery Sunderland programme, which includes a range of sector days which showcases various careers within a particular industry and guest speaker days.

Work Discovery Week will also be taking place in 2016, running from June 27th to July 1st.

Razzamataz Rehearsals In Full Festive Swing

By on 9th November 2015in Entertainment, Events, Have Your Say, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Rehearsals are in full swing as Razzamataz prepare for their biggest public performance to date…

On Saturday 19th December, students from Razzamataz Durham Theatre School will be performing a selection of favourite Christmas songs to entertain shoppers in Durham City Centre. Alison Beveridge, Principal of the school, says: “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to bring some magic to the city and get involved with our local community this Christmas.”

“Our students just love performing, and the chance to showcase their talents and hard work in a public setting is really exciting.”

At Razzamataz Durham Theatre School, we offer dance, drama and singing classes for children aged 2-18 years (and much, much more). We like to go the extra mile and give our students amazing customer service, and an amazing experience.

This year sees the return of our popular Christmas Card Competition. The school are running a competition for students to create their own Razzamataz greetings card. The winning design will be professionally printed and sent to the theatre school’s friends, partner businesses, and those who have worked with them over the past year. Last year’s winner, Molly says, “It was great to get involved and so cool to see my design come to life.”

Parents are carers are also catered for. Last month, the school hosted a Phoenix Cards Coffee Morning and raised £99.22 for The Rainbow Trust Charity. Families and friends were invited to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of homemade cake while they browsed the catalogues of exclusive cards and stationery whilst their children were in class.

Suzy Blooms, a Razzamataz parent and professional florist, is hosting a Christmas Basket Arrangement Workshop for parents and carers to take part in. She says: “I think it’s wonderful that Razzamataz Durham cares for the whole family. It’s a great community to belong to as the team really have their students and parents’ best interests at heart. Since joining, my son has grown in confidence, developed new skills, and widened his friendship group.”

If you would like to be a part of all that’s going on at Razzamataz, or would like to request more information, contact Alison on 07599 283931, or email durham@razzamataz.co.uk.

The school welcomes new students, and is taking bookings for complimentary taster sessions for their first day of term on Saturday 9th January. Places are limited and operate on a first come, first served basis.

Jak Inc: Raising Money For Charity With Letters From Santa

By on 28th October 2015in Have Your Say, Local Biz, What's New?

Marketing, print and design agency Jak Inc are spreading a little Christmas cheer again. Here’s their latest charity campaign, in their own words…

Looking for a way to make this Christmas extra special for the little ones?

A few years ago, we set up www.myletterfromsanta.co.uk. As Christmas came around, we wanted to do our bit for charity, so we used our experience as a print retailer to devise the best-looking, most magical Santa Claus letters we could.

Each year, we send out hundreds of letters (from Santa) to kids across the North East, and the proceeds of every letter goes to charity. This year, we’ve picked Children In Need.

Jak Inc MD Andy Knowles says, “Handing over the big cheque to St Cuthbert’s Hospice last year was a very proud moment. Giving back to our community is part of the Jak Inc DNA, and we hope this year can be another successful campaign.”

Letters are just £4.99, 100% of which goes to Children In Need. Click here to get yours!

Got a query about Letters From Santa? Call 0191 3882698 (to speak to one of Santa’s little helpers) or email sales@mylettersfromsanta.co.uk.

Lumley Castle Holds Halloween Party For Little Monsters And Grown Up Ghouls

By on 27th October 2015in Entertainment, Events, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

One of the North East’s most haunted venues is inviting small spooks – and grown-up ghosts – to two special events this week…

Six-hundred-year-old Lumley Castle, in Chester-le-Street, is holding a children’s Hallowe’en party on Thursday 29th October, with an emphasis on fun rather than fright.

On arrival at the castle, the youngsters will be led to Lumley’s dungeon before being served a three course banquet feast in the majestic Baron’s Hall, while accompanying adults are served a glass of wine.

They will then be entertained by some of the castle’s friendlier ghosts, and a prize will be given to the child with the best fancy dress costume, with all children receiving a small memento of the event before they leave.

The following night, Friday 30th October, it will be the turn of adults, who are invited to a five course banquet, with live entertainment and a late night disco in the four-star hotel’s dungeon.

“Lumley Castle is a perfect Hallowe’en venue,” says Director of Sales and Marketing, Nola Collinson, “and we hope as many diners as possible will enter into the ‘spirit’ and come suitably – and spookily – dressed for the occasion.”

The children’s party is suitable for those aged between 5 and 12, and doors will open at 6.30pm, with the banquet served at 7pm. 

Tickets, which must be pre-booked, cost £16 per child and £29 for each accompanying adult.

The adult Hallowe’en Party on 30th October begins in the Dungeon bar at 7pm, with the banquet at 8pm, followed by a disco until 1am.

The party is for those aged over 16, and tickets cost £41.50 per person.

To book, or for further information, call 0191 389 1111, visit www.lumleycastle.com or email banquets@lumleycastle.com.

Sunderland Bistro Unveil Halloween-Themed Menu

By on 26th October 2015in Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Witches brew, blood red chips and gruesome graveyard pizza are being added to the menu at a North East eatery next week…

The Beach House bistro, Roker, run by 1879 Events Management, is marking Halloween with six days of spine-tingling activities starting Monday October 26th.

This includes a chance for visitors of all ages to decorate themed biscuits from noon until 2pm Monday to Saturday, with a face painter and fancy dress competition also running on Saturday October 31st only.

Throughout the week the bistro will be serving a creepy and creative Halloween-inspired menu, with different dishes for adults and kids to sink their fangs into.

For grown-ups this includes witches brew (bean and bacon soup), spooky mince pie and poison pepper (stuffed pepper with chilli, rice and potato chips), while younger trick or treaters can enjoy a mummy (hot) dog, monster cheeseburger or gruesome graveyard pizza, all served with blood red chips.

David Moses, General Manager at 1879 Events Management, which also manages catering and events at the Stadium of Light and National Glass Centre, said, “Halloween is a holiday for children of all ages, as well as those that are young of heart.

“Our regular menu will still be available for those too scared to sample the special themed one, while our free activities will help families make more of the build-up.”

For more information about Halloween at the Beach House, visit www.facebook.com/thebeachhousesunderland or www.1879events.com or call 0191 5659473 to book.

MEGA Motion Campaign Receives Royal Blessing

By on 23rd October 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

This year’s MEGA Motion campaign received royal blessing when it was kicked off by a Prince Bishop…

Pupils from schools across South Durham taking part in the competition came together at Auckland Castle to mark the start of this year’s scheme. As well as hearing all about the benefits of healthy and environmentally-friendly ways of getting to school, the children also enjoyed a tour of the castle and enjoyed trying lawn games and archery.

Throughout the academic year, ten competition winning pupils will get to lead their classmates to school in a fancy dress theme of their choice. The Durham County Council backed MEGA Motion scheme aims to encourage children to walk, scoot or ride to school, hoping to make them aware of the benefits from an early age.

As well as fun walks, pupils earn points every time they use sustainable travel to get to school, with those collecting the most points throughout the year being crowned MEGA heroes.

Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said, “We’re delighted that MEGA Motion is underway again, and would like to wish the children good luck in this year’s competition. MEGA Motion is a brilliant scheme that encourages our children – in a fun way – to be healthier and more environmentally-friendly every day. As well as being great fun for the kids, it also cuts down traffic, meaning whole communities benefit from a greener, healthier environment.”

 

MEGA Motion comes under the wider Local Motion campaign promoting sustainable transport throughout South Durham.

Santa To Visit Autistic Children At St. James’ Park

By on 23rd October 2015in Lifestyle, What's New?, What's On?

A North East mum, worried her autistic son was missing out on the fun of Christmas, has come to the rescue – by arranging a festive lunch with Santa…

Not only will it be held at one of the sporting world’s most well-known venues, but all families living with autism are welcome, and Santa Claus himself will be making a special visit to meet them.

Samantha Doyle, from Chester-le-Street, set about planning the event (to be held on Monday 21st December at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park stadium) after realising six-year-old Freddie was missing out on a lot of the events and activities other children take for granted.

“Due to Freddie’s autism, his reactions to things can be extreme and unpredictable and, over the years, I’d gradually stopped taking him to the sort of events most children go to,” said Samantha.

“He couldn’t stand in a queue in a department store to meet Santa Claus, for example, and even going out to a restaurant for lunch can be difficult,” she added.

“And, because you can’t see autism, people don’t realise he has the condition. They just think he’s being naughty and badly behaved.

“Then I realised that my concerns about what other people might think were stopping Freddie having the sort of fun all children should have, especially at Christmas, and so I decided to organise this special event.”

And when it came to choosing a venue, Samantha, area sales manager for leading UK catering company, Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events, at St James’ Park, had a head start.

“The stadium’s the perfect venue,” she said. “Not only has it got the space and the catering facilities, but it’s a venue that attracts kids and families.”

On the day, the children will not only meet Santa Claus but also enjoy a festive three course lunch with their families and a special mini tour of the stadium.

Samantha’s idea has not only received the backing of the North East Autism Society but staff have also agreed to assist with the planning and will be there on the day.

The society’s family development manager Kerrie Highcock said, “I think it’s a great idea. A lot of families can feel socially isolated and the children do miss out on a lot so I think this is amazing – it’s going to be fantastic.”

Tickets cost £18.95 for a three course meal for adults and £10.95 for those aged 12 and under, with two course options also available. Bookings are now being taken and tables can be reserved by calling 0191 201 8525 or e-mailing candb@nufc.co.uk.

Sunderland Shopping Centre Looking For Christmas ‘Toy Testers’

By on 21st October 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

A Sunderland shopping centre is looking for a team of youngsters who can take on an important festive job – as toy testers…

Sunderland’s Bridges Shopping Centre is looking to form a group of discerning youngsters to test out this Christmas’ ‘must have’ toys from the centre’s leading retailers.

As a reward all members of the selection panel will receive a £50 gift voucher to spend on toys for themselves.

Youngsters aged between five and nine-years-old can put themselves forward to be a tester, by sending in a video no more than one minute long, showing their favourite toy and explaining why they like it.

Then the winning group will be invited in for a special session at the Bridges where they can try out some of the new season’s toys and vote for those they like best.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to find out what youngsters want this Christmas and for them to test out the toys in advance,” said Andy Bradley, Centre Director at the Bridges.

“And it also means we get to know what are likely to be the best sellers.

“Hopefully it will also help families decide what to buy for their children, knowing that it’s got the seal of approval from a group of youngsters.”

Anyone wanting to be considered for the toy testing panel should email their video to customerservices@bridgessunderland.co.uk. They need to include their contact details and parental consent to them taking part.

The closing date for would-be toy testers to send a video is Monday November 2nd.

5 Half Term Events To Keep The Kids Entertained

By on 20th October 2015in Events, Lifestyle, Places To Go, What's New?, What's On?

Half term is on its way (23rd October until 2nd November), so here are five events to keep the little ones occupied…

 

Saturday 24th October
Atoms To Astrophysics, Hancock Museum
Meet scientists from Newcastle University and learn about our universe with hands on demonstrations and experiments.

Tuesday 27 October
Time Traveller Tuesday, Discovery Museum
Take a journey through the Discovery Museum that even The Doctor would be proud of! Come dressed in your favourite sci-fi costume, go on a Tardis trial, and watch some Doctor Who re-runs in the Great Hall.

Wednesday 28th October
Big Wednesday: Big Draw, Laing Art Gallery
Take inspiration from the beautiful works in the Arts & Crafts exhibition, and help to design giant wallpaper! Create your very own Arts & Crafts room in a box, and join in the Arts & Craft trail through the gallery.

Thursday 29th October
Young People’s Art Workshop, Hatton Gallery
This sketchbook workshop allows youngsters to explore their creative side. Specifically designed with teenagers in mind. Free, but booking is essential!

Sunday 1st November
Diesel Day, Stephenson Railway Museum
See both of the museum’s heritage diesel engines in action! The 08 class will be hauling the passenger service, and the 03 will be out in the yard. This is also the last day of the year that you’ll be able to drop in for heritage train rides.

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