Mad Hatter raises laughs and money at fundraising tea party

Published by Hywel LLoyd for Merlin Housing Society in Housing and also in Communities

Residents at one of Merlin Housing Society’s sheltered schemes could be forgiven for thinking they’d fallen down the rabbit hole on Friday at the scheme’s Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

Residents at Giffard House in Little Stoke were led to the party, held to raise money for Children in Need, by a member of staff dressed as the March Hare. Other staff dressed as the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, and Alice herself to serve tea and cake to residents and staff from Merlin’s other offices.

In total the event raised £330, much to the delight of Support Ops Co-ordinator Tracey Prosser: “It was brilliant to raise so much money for such a good cause. The residents absolutely loved it and want to know when we’re going to do it again.”

The tea party wasn’t the only fundraising event held by Merlin residents and staff on Friday. Residents at Charles England House in Patchway raised £80 from a cake sale, while staff at Merlin’s main office in Chipping Sodbury raised £160 from a casual clothes day.