The organisers of Europe’s largest travelling fair have put out a call to North East charities to give children the treat of a lifetime.
The Hoppings returns to Newcastle’s Town Moor from Friday 20 to Sunday 29 June with hundreds of attractions, from familiar favourites to white knuckle rides.
And children’s charities are being urged to get in touch to enjoy them for free on the opening day – before the official opening by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle.
Charities can bring along a group who, between noon and 2pm on the opening day on 20 June, will be able to ride for free.
This will be the annual fair’s 143rd visit to the Town Moor and, after last year’s event was reduced in scale following bad weather, it will once again be back to capacity.
Details of all the attractions will be fully revealed in the next few weeks, but operator Crow Events, said the fair will feature everything from family favourites, such as the helter skelter, to some of the biggest, fastest and newest rides in Europe.
Classics such as Magic Mouse Rollercoaster, the Ghost Train, Dodgems and Fun House will take up residence alongside white-knuckle experiences such as a new ride for this year; the Drop Tower.
The biggest mobile free fall tower in the world, it ‘drops’ those daring enough to try it, to the ground in a matter of seconds – making it one of the biggest thrill rides to date.
Feast Street – a vast selection of gourmet food stalls accompanied by a large dining area, licensed bar and live music – is also set to return, along with a dedicated Kids’ Club in The Village section.
The Hoppings launched the charity event last year and it proved hugely successful, giving children the chance to enjoy the fair before the crowds arrived, which is why it is being repeated this time round.
Among those who came along were youngsters supported by North East heart charity Red Sky Foundation, whose co-founder Sergio Petrucci said, “the children had a great time.
“They really were treated like little VIPs and it was all less overwhelming for them than it would be when it’s really busy.”
Ryan Crow, of Crow Events, said inviting the charities to bring children along “was an easy decision.
“The Hoppings is about families,” he said. “It’s about the families that bring the rides and attractions to the Town Moor and the families here in the North East that enjoy them.
“We work very hard to ensure there is something for all ages and abilities to enjoy at the Hoppings and we hope as many children’s charities as possible will get in touch with us before we open so we can give them a special and memorable visit.”
Charities interested in bringing children along to The Hoppings between noon and 2pm on Friday 20 June are asked to contact Bernice Saltzer at bernice@sortedpr,com.