SAVS Community Builder, Eda Deramchia attended the ‘Spooky Smiles Stroll & Frightening Fang Fest’ –  a free Halloween themed community event organised by local parents and children, hosted at the Cart & Wagon Shed in Shoebury Garrison and funded by the Big Sparks.

Eda comments:

“It started with a casual chat on the street with one of the local school mums and became the event everyone in Shoebury is talking about.

It was a very colourful, happy and educational event, it promoted being active, and very timely at Halloween, when sugar intake is at one of its highest points in the year, the importance of oral health.”

Over 500 people attended the event, many from Shoebury, but it brought together people from across Southend and the wider area including Great Wakering, Thorpe Bay, Southchurch and Westcliff. Attendees enjoyed free kids’ activities like origami and arts & crafts, complimentary refreshments, free professional photos and healthy goody bags promoting oral hygiene.

“A huge amount of work had gone into the event behind the scenes over the last two months and it was amazing to see what the community can achieve when it comes together with the support of initiatives like the BIG SPARKS and community leaders.

A special thank you goes out to Ngawai Moss who took the lead on this project and the group of mums and children volunteers who pulled this fantastic event together. The kids were involved throughout the project from the initial ideas of what they wanted to see on the day through to making signage and displays for the event. Several of the children were in charge of the stalls on the day and learned important life skills whilst having fun.

I am very privileged and feel extremely proud to have been involved in this wonderful community project and I have received lots of messages from locals to ask when the next event in Shoebury is going to be, which is a testament to the great work and success on this event!”