Uniting the community and putting people in touch; organisers of a summer feast of food and fun in Ormskirk hope their very own Big Lunch event will revolutionise the town.
Last week saw an estimated four million communities across the UK sit down for a Big Lunch with neighbours they may not previously have known as part of Halifax’s Helping Britain Prosper Plan.
And Coronation Park was a hive of activity with 800 people in attendance, enjoying barbecues, live music and football sessions – all thanks to 18 local community groups and charities.
Organiser Lisa Coleman said: “The local scout group were on hand to provide a barbecue while we had football activities for the children and even activities for people’s dogs.
“There was music from a local rock band, Twin Planets, as well as a solo set by Erin Howard, a schoolgirl from the area who appeared on Britain’s Got Talent.
“A dance group also came down and helped choreograph a flash mob routine for the 54 Halifax volunteers which went down really well.”
Over the years millions of people have taken part in Big Lunches and made a real change in their communities, with Ormskirk’s organiser Lisa confident the same can now be said for her and her neighbours.
Organising a Big Lunch is just one way that people can make a difference in their area with Halifax committed to being the banking group that brings communities closer together to help them thrive.
Another way is to pledge on Halifax’s website, and after their own Big Lunch success, Lisa revealed the people involved are itching to take part in similar events soon.
“There was a broad spectrum of charities and groups that really hit home with the local community, and they were all raising money for their causes,” she said.
“It was quite a casual event, with people drifting in and out throughout the day at Coronation Park, and all of the charities said that they’d love to do an event like this again.”
Halifax is helping people give extra in their communities, whether hosting a Big Lunch event, or making their community a better place to live. To recognise and reward people who are giving extra, Halifax is rewarding members of the public who make one of four pledges at www.halifax.co.uk/pledge
Image courtesy of Erin Howard via YouTube, with thanks.