Rise Park festive event raises thousands for charity

Helmsdale Close residents Gary and Louise Cook hosted the event's first edition at their home at the end of 2021, as they looked to support Cancer Research UK following singer Gary’s recovery from nasal cancer the previous year. 

Unsure how it would be received, hundreds ended up flocking to the Cook family home to enjoy the entertainment, including Gary himself singing, with more than £2,500 for the charity. 

• READ MORE: Rise Park charity event to go ahead as £3k fee waived

Last year, another of the event’s organisers, David Game, told the Recorder that the plan for the second event was to go “bigger”, with the hope that upwards of £3,000 could be raised for the charity. 

And so, on December 21, the Cook family, which as well as Gary and Louise include their two sons, Kyle and Clark, invited revellers to an evening featuring a choir, a snow machine, food stalls, and, of course, Gary belting out a few tunes. 

David said that Santa handed out presents to more than 100 children, and that at least £3,000 was raised overall. 

"This is the second year we've ran this charity Christmas festival in the close, and suddenly it felt like there were pressures that were not there last year from the expectations we put on ourselves, plus from local residents who attended last year's successful inaugural event. We didn't want to let them down,” he said. 

The Grinch was among the attendees at this year's event (Image: David Game)

Following the event, Gary said he and Louise are “so happy” to see how it has evolved since they first mooted the idea nearly two years ago. 

“After experiencing one of the worst events of my life, second only to the heart surgery my youngest boy Kyle needed at birth, my cancer team saved my life and enabled me to be here today to run this event, with my wife and some of my amazing neighbours and friends. 

“My two boys Clark and Kyle love Christmas, as most children do, so I'm elated we could give them a show to be proud of. 

“The choir, the snow machine, myself singing a few songs, Father Christmas, the Grinch, the stalls, the food, and our wonderful helpers, made this event magical and so worthwhile." 

Local choir Singcerity performed a series of carols out the front of the Cook household (Image: David Game)

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For David, the money raised at last year’s event also now has additional resonance due to the recent loss of his auntie, Valerie Donovan, who died of cancer on Christmas Day. 

“Val was at last year's event and generously contributed to our event, but little did we know it would be her last,” he said. “Her loss, along with the impact on thousands of others will continue to motivate me, and I'm sure others in Helmsdale Close, to put on this event for years to come.” 

David's auntie, Valerie Donovan (Image: David Game)

David added that the team are still accepting donations. To do so, visit: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/helmsdale-close-christmas-singalong