Founded in 1891 to support children living in the slums of Newcastle, Children North East now works with families and schools across the region to help eradicate poverty and improve life opportunities for youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds.
And on Saturday (6 August) the charity is celebrating its 125th birthday with a party at Newcastle’s Discovery Museum, Blandford Square, with free fun and entertainment for all the family.
From 11am to 3pm younger guests will be able to take part in a variety of crafts in the shadow of the steamship Turbinia – once the fastest ship in the world and the centrepiece of the museum’s ground floor exhibition.
There will also be an exhibition on the first floor, illustrating what life was like for North East families during the Victorian era, while a storyteller on the second floor will tell a series of traditional folk tales and children’s stories throughout the event.
Guests will be able to explore the museum’s Science Maze, the Classroom and the Story of the Tyne space, which showcases 150 years of shipbuilding, before heading to the Great Hall, for a street party-style celebration.
Along with a variety of fête games and sideshows, there will be a dressing up area, colouring activities and photo booths and, at midday, the venue’s catering partner, Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events, will serve a finger buffet lunch tailored to the event.
Pupils from Newcastle’s Hawthorn Primary School will also take to the stage for a special concert in conjunction with the Sage, Gateshead.
“Children and families have been at the heart of what we do for 125 years,” said Children North East’s chief executive Jeremy Cripps, “so there is no way we could celebrate our birthday without them.
“Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums have been very generous in helping us host this party and we hope as many families as possible will come along and enjoy what promises to be a wonderful party.”
For further information about holding events at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums’ venues, call 0844 856 1074 or e-mail events@twmuseums.co.uk.