Brighton-based charity Forward Facing’s eighth Memory Making Day brought smiles and laughter to more than 80 children and their families.

Held at the Brighton Dome on Thursday, the event had a circus theme with jugglers and stilt-walkers. Children were taught circus tricks and learnt show songs which they later performed to parents and carers - even Brighton & Hove Albion Captain Bruno and women’s defender Laura Rafferty took to the stage to dance, sharing the limelight with Brighton’s  ex-Big Brother winner Jason Burrill.

Many of the children who took part had long-term or terminal illness, others had suffered bereavement, or were siblings of family members who have long term illness. Some of the children came from The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and the Demelza Hospice.

“It was an amazing day – one of the best we have ever had. It reduced lots of us to tears just seeing the joy on children’s faces. They all really enjoyed it and it created many happy memories for them and their families,” said Candice Konig, director of Forward Facing.

Forward Facing aims to give children and young people with life-threatening conditions, or who have experienced bereavement, the chance to forget their daily struggles and enjoy magical experiences to make lasting memories for themselves and their families.

This year the Memory Making Day was lottery-funded for the first time, but local companies also rallied round to donate Easter eggs, food and drink, and off a helping hand.

“I want to say a huge thank you to our local supporters - we couldn’t have done it with them,” adds Candice.

Among the volunteers and supporters were The Montefiore Hospital in Hove, Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, Sainsbury’s store in New England Street, Enterprise of Brighton, and Piglets Pantry, based in Worthing.   

Find out more about Forward Facing by visiting www.forwardfacing.co.uk

For more information or enquiries, please contact Keely Harrison on 07909 930501 or email keelycommunications@hotmail.com