Silas in the U.K.

Silas arrived in Heathrow airport on Sunday the 12th of August 2007. He was as delighted to be here at last. It had been a long flight.

I left Blackpool a 6.30 am in the morning to drive to the home of  our friends Chris & Ken Goddard at Southend on Sea. Ken then drove us to the airport to meet Silas at 6.30pm. Ken drove back through London, it was a lovely bright sunny evening. Silas saw the Houses of parliament and Tower bridge, the London Eye and 10 Downing Street.! We drove through a long tunnel, something that Silas had never experienced before.

 

The adventure had  started!

 

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Silas met our family, Sheryl, Jack & Lily.

 

Jack showed Silas how to bake

Steve Becker invited Silas to Radio Lancashire Studios to see where Sue had been interviewed. The children and staff at school in Watamu had been able to listen to the interview via the inter net.

A very happy Silas to be meeting Fay and the girls from Ego Hair & Beauty Salon in Blackpool.  The girls have always been very supportive of our work for the children,from doing a sponsored head shave to selling raffle tickets, donating prizes and buying a bicycle.

Silas is a very keen Arsenal supporter, so we were delighted that they were playing at Blackburn, a 40 minutes train ride from Blackpool. Silas had never been to a football stadium and seen a live match before or travelled on a train. He enjoyed both experiences immensely

Dave Wilson from the travel company Escape to Kenya,sent Silas, Dave and his son Ryan on an all expenses paid Manchester United tour. He bought Silas a shirt with his name on, and one for Abdul the child he sponsors at school. Last November David bought a generator for the Watamu school.

Silas was thrilled to be invited to the Mayors Parlour in Blackpool Town Hall where he met the Mayor & Mayoress and their Deputies.

Left, penpals from Doncaster came to say Hi Silas

Right, Staff from Sainsburys who did the Sponsored swim

Karen & Charlotte Johnson sponsor two children at our  Watamu School. In February I took Loicy, one of their children a gift from them of a jewellery making kit. Karen & Charlotte were delighted to receive a necklace and bracelet from Silas that Loicy had made for each of them

Our biggest thank you has to be to Elizabeth Gomm from the Blackpool Gazette, her articles have made such a big difference to our work. People who have read the articles have made donations. It was after reading one article that Diane Prescott became aware of our work and helped to organise the Sponsored Swim. Elizabeth organised a day at the Pleasure Beach for Silas, that he will remember always.