CHARLTON HOUSE SUPPORTS PARTY IN THE PARK

The bandstand in St James’s Park will echo to the sound of children at Daycare Trust’s Party in the Park on the afternoon of Tuesday, 31st July 2007 (2-4pm). The event, to which children from local nurseries and children’s centres have been invited, has been organised in partnership with the End Child Poverty Campaign to highlight the issue of child poverty.

Charlton House, Catalyst Lendlease and the Royal Parks are supporting the event.  As well as baking the special birthday cake for the event, the Charlton House team at Her Majesty’s Treasury will provide healthy picnic bags for all of the children attending, as well as teas and coffee for adults.

Zoë Evans, Charlton House general catering manager at Her Majesty’s Treasury said: “ The emphasis will be on healthy eating. Our picnic bags will have sandwiches, a piece of fruit, a healthy snack such as dried fruit pieces and a juice or smoothie. My pastry chef is making a low fat sponge birthday cake, which will carry the Daycare Trust logo. We are delighted to support such a worthy cause.”

The Rt Hon Peter Hain, MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, will perform the official cake cutting at 3pm.

The party will include puppet shows and play activities. Special guest, Dan Freedman, author of new football novel The Kick Off, will join the children.

“Traditionally, 21st birthdays were when you got the key to the door,” says Emma Knights, Joint-Chief Executive of Daycare Trust. “We feel that high-quality childcare opens doors for children and families in poverty, and we are using this occasion to shine a spotlight on what Gordon Brown needs to do to unlock a brighter future for poor children and their parents.”

The party is taking place close to The Treasury, which the End Child Poverty Campaign believes holds part of the solution to lifting Britain’s children out of poverty. The campaign is calling for £4 billion of extra funding to be spent on poverty reduction measures – and providing high-quality childcare when parents need it is one of the most significant areas where money needs to be spent.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Daycare Trust is the national childcare charity, campaigning for quality affordable accessible childcare for all and raising the voices of children, parents and carers.  We advise parents and carers, providers, employers, trade unions and policymakers on childcare issues.  We recognise that everyone is unique and we value difference in our communities.  We listen to all views and are committed to act without prejudice.  We oppose all discrimination and promote equality in all we do.  Daycare Trust runs a childcare helpline (020 7840 3350) for parents, open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am – 5pm. 

For further information, contact press office at Daycare Trust on 020 7840 3350 (out of hours 07804-508768). email scharity@daycaretrust.org.uk   www.daycaretrust.org.uk

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