Kids Out

10^th June. I make my first ever visit to a Kids Out day. Kids Out is a Charity supported by Rotary in Britain and Ireland, which provides fun days out to disadvantaged and disabled children. Thousands of youngsters  enjoy a great day out at events all over the country, thanks to local Rotary clubs and the KidsOut charity. In District 1140, Rotary clubs take groups of children to Thorpe Park for the day, others go to Chessington World of Adventures.

Aldershot Army Rugby Stadium

                                       

The DG and I attended an Aldershot event, organized jointly by the Rotary Clubs of Rushmoor, Aldershot, Farnborough, Ash & Blackwater Valley, Fleet, Woking and Woking District. There may also have been a couple of clubs from District 1250. Instead of taking the children on an outing to a Theme Park, these clubs have hired a venue, the Army Rugby Stadium in Aldershot barracks and have organized a variety of entertainments for them on the site. Coaches bring children from schools in the surrounding area (about 800 children in all) and they can run around the arena in complete safety, as it is surrounded by high security fencing, which prevents any unauthorised  people from getting in, and equally important, no-one can escape!

    DG Elect Peter O'Keeffe (right) and DG Nominee Frank West somehow get through security

                                                             

We arrived about mid-morning, and once we had got through security, in the form of Kevin Mack, we met a group of clowns, one of whom looked suspiciously like Peter Meldrum.  There were excited children running in every direction enjoying various activities, including face painting, a bouncy castle, a mini steam  train, swing boats, giant slides, and a football penalty shoot out among others. One of the most popular activities was a  plate smashing stall, provided by Aldershot club, where kids just threw wooden balls at crockery. They were clearly having a cracking time.

                                                                         What a bunch of clowns

For some reason best known to her, the DG decided to have her face painted. She patiently queued up with all the excited children, and chose her own design, which can best be described as an alien cat. The painters were not professionals, but Rotarians copying patterns from books. However some had been doing this for several years, so had developed a degree of expertise.

                                                                New look

                                                                    Peter and Frank keep their distance

We spent some time talking to a very interesting man, Tom Yendell.  He was born in the early sixties with no arms due to the infamous drug Thalidomide. He has however lived a full and varied life, and has become a renowned artist, painting pictures by holding brushes in his feet. At KidsOut he was promoting his new charity, called Flat Spaces. Essentially the charity builds holiday accommodation for disabled people which is easily accessible and fully adapted. The first bungalow has been built in Hampshire, but his aim is to build Flat Spaces properties around the country. The DG and I are obviously interested in such a project, and will follow progress with interest. I must confess to being taken a little by surprise when Tom handed me a leaflet with his foot. Anything I can do with my hands, he can do with his feet.

                                                   The DG meets Tom Yendell

As we wandered around the site, the DG attempted to race the steam train in her electric chair but unfortunately was well beaten. At the football game I decided to give some boys a lesson in the subtle arts of goalkeeping, and challenged them to beat me from the penalty spot. I don’t think I explained myself very well, as they all kicked balls at me simultaneously, giving me no chance of saving anything.

                                                                                   All aboard

I was pleased to see that Rushmoor Rotary club were operating  their legendary barbecue with free burgers and sausages for all children and adults. There were also free ice creams from an ice cream van. Everybody who came in had been given a voucher, and these vouchers were exchanged for an ice cream at the van, all paid for by the Rotary clubs, at a pre-agreed price.

                                                          The Rushmoor barbecue

As I waited in the queue for my burger, I spoke to a woman who said her school has been supporting this event for many years. They thoroughly appreciated the fact there were so many Rotarians around to help out if there were any problems, and she felt she could relax here.  It was clear to see that the kids were having a good time, but it was also nice to hear how much the adults enjoyed the day.

                                                                      Having a smashing time

Before leaving, we watched the launch of the balloon race. Children attached their names to balloons and the winner is the one that goes furthest. Interestingly, the launch of 100 or so balloons required authorisation from Air Traffic Control in view of the proximity to Farnborough Aerodrome.

The balloon race begins

The DG and I enjoyed our very first visit to a KidsOut event. Costs of the day are estimated at around £5 per child, a considerable saving on the cost of entry to a theme park.  With so many Rotarians in attendance from so many clubs, there was plenty of manpower available when needed. We have decided that we would like Shepperton Aurora to get involved in KidsOut next year. There is room at the Aldershot event for more children.

With Peter Meldrum (left) and John Fletcher