Venue: TenPin Bowling Alley, Acton, London W3

This year Daytrippers organised our second Bowling Party but made it bigger and better. We filled the venue with over 130 bowlers dressed to impressed as their favourite superheroes. There were two games of bowling for each child, party music and cosmic lights to add to the atmosphere. Everyone had a goodie bag, glow sticks and McDonalds Happy Meal with Fruit bags to keep them going throughout the event. We had Kat the Face Painter on hand providing finishing touches to the children’s Superhero outfits. Two lucky bowlers won prizes of HMV vouchers for being Daytrippers ‘Most Stylish Bowler’ and ‘Best Dressed Superhero’. A fun day was had by all!

A huge Thank You to everyone at TenPin Bowling Alley, Help a London Child, and especially Jamie Ndah (Beautiful Events) for working the microphone, announcing all the top scores and getting the special competitions going on our designated Daytrippers Lane.

Click on the image to the left to check out the day’s photo gallery.

Group: The Log Cabin

Trip Destination: Thames Valley Adventure Playground

Date: May 2009

The Log Cabin wanted to take advantage of a new location and decided on a trip to Thames Valley Adventure Playground which is a wonderful setting for children with special needs and disabilities. Many of the children and young people who attend the Log Cabin have no other opportunity to visit different play places, and especially one with as many facilities as this. Thames Valley Adventure Playground has multi-sensory and sound rooms, sensory garden, a rock zone and many play areas specifically for children with disabilities… a Great day for all!

Group: Up On Downs

Trip Destination: Woodside Animal Farm

Date: May 2009

Up On Downs chose to take a group of children along to Woodside Animal Farm and Leisure Park. The Children were allowed to pet animals such as rabbits and ducks, then visit larger animals around the farm. Woodside also has a great range of attractions from an Indoor Play area to Funfair Rides so it is suitable for all ages and interests.

Days like this are a great opportunity for children with Down’s Syndrome and their family. Up On Downs said the daytrip enabled them to relax in an environment that is safe and well adapted for children, providing relief from the usual stresses on the family… and most importantly, they all could have fun!

Group: Impact Parent Carer Support Group

Trip Destination: Cadbury World

Date: April 2009

Impact is a well established Parent/Carer support group in South Birmingham. They have over 60 members, all of whom have at least one child with a disability or additional need.

This trip took the group to the magical world of Cadbury, touring through ancient civilizations such as the Aztecs learning about the history of chocolate. Smelling, tasting and even writing with chocolate everyone managed to have a day which overloaded the senses. But no visit to Cadbury World is complete without a visit to the huge Cadbury shop where you can even pose with the Cadbury Caramel Bunny!

Venue: The David Beckham Academy, Greenwich

This year was our 4th Daytrippers Pan-Disability Football Tournament at the prestigious David Beckham Academy and it turned out to be our best yet! Divided into Under 12’s and Under 16’s teams - 240 football-mad kids played their hearts out over 6 pitches building up to the nerve wracking finals at the end of the day. As with previous years a healthy lunch was provided for all the players as well as their loyal supporters. The highlight was an awards ceremony attended by Richard Fox (England & GB Cerebral Palsy Player), David Clark (England & GB Blind Player) and John Barnes (Ex England & Liverpool). Every player received a Daytripper medal and the winners and runners up each took away well deserved trophies. Special prizes of England Shirts signed by Joe Cole (England & Chelsea) were awarded to two lucky children named Players of the Tournament in their age group, then everyone had the chance to have their photo taken with our celebrities!

A huge thank you goes out to all the players and teams the day for their energy and enthusiasm. Daytrippers would also like to say special a Thank You to Ray Coleman, Help a London Child, The FA, Richard House Hospice, Newframes, and everyone at The Beckham Academy who all helped make this day happen!

Please click the photo to see all the action from the day.

Venue: The Ritzy Cinema, Brixton

This year our Film Premiere welcomed a record number of Children along to watch their own films and animations on the big screen at the stunning venue of The Ritzy Cinema, Brixton. Over 140 Children from Belvue School, Charlie Chaplin Adventure Playground, De La Salle Secondary School, Great Oaks School, Richard House Hospice, Three Wings Trust, Livity School and Michael Tippett School all walked down the red carpet in true Oscar style. With face painting, temporary tattoos and an amazing display of contact juggling by Jason Maverick the audience were buzzing with excitement whilst they tucked into their free popcorn. This year we were treated to a unique performance by Magpie Dance Group and Hayereyah returned once again to entertain everyone. BBC’s George Wood handed out the Oscars at the ceremony at the end of the show and again presented the Best Dressed Girls and Boy with a special prize.

A huge Thank You to all at The Ritzy and those who contributed to the films and animations being made for the day. This was a truly unique opportunity for the children to be creative and celebrate their talent.

Click on the image to check out the photos from the premiere.

Venue: London Zoo

For the second year running, Daytrippers collaborated with the London Zoo to take 450 excited children and their families to the Zoo. The day was specially catered for disabled children, with live animal displays and British Sign Language interpretation for all talks and displays. The children were also entertained by a live band and there were face painters for those that wanted to become little tigers or cheeky monkeys for the day!

The feedback after the event has been phenomenal proving that the day was a hit with the children and parents alike!

Due to the Data Protection Act 1998 we are unable to provide any photographs from this event.

Venue: The Lyceum Theatre, London

Daytrippers joined forces with the wonderful creative charity ‘Mousetrap’ to help take over 1300 children from special schools from in and around London to a very special matinee performance of ‘Lion King’. The award winning West End spectacle left the children who attended entertained, inspired and awed by its energy and amazing performances.

All the children walked away with goodie bags filled with treats from Disney. To some of them it was an incredible and unforgettable introduction to the world of theatre.

Please click on the image above to see a gallery of photographs from the day.

Venue: The Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith

‘Hang On’ is a spectacular show at the Lyric Theatre, fusing circus skills, movement, humor and live music, all suspended dramatically above the stage. We booked two special performances for the sole enjoyment of Daytrippers children so they could take over the Theatre and get fully involved with the show. The performances had the audience laughing one minute then gazing in amazement at the actors as they climbed the set trying to get as high as they could. This was a thrilling show for all the children to enjoy, showing them that what looks impossible can become possible!

After the second Matinee some of the actors came out to meet and greet the audience as they were leaving, allowing the lucky few a perfect photo opportunity.

Photos from the day can be viewed in the gallery by clicking on the image to the left.

Venue: Conway Hall, Red Lion Square WC1R

After the success of last year’s concert, we teamed up with the wonderful CREATE charity again to bring you an exclusive Daytrippers booking of the Creative:Space concert. The hugely talented Derek Paravacini (who is blind and has severe learning difficulties) lead the concert with lots of story telling, crafts and music making.

The fully booked venue was alive with children dancing, singing, drawing and making new friends. All the children were encouraged to participate in the concert in one way or another - most joined in the music making with various instruments that were handed out throughout the morning! As usual, this was a great event for all the family to enjoy.

A huge Thank You goes to everyone at Create for hosting such an enjoyable event. To view the photograph gallery from the day, please click on the image to the left.