Strawberry Moon to host a Bank Holiday charity Beer and Prosecco Festival

THE Wirral's idyllic countryside gem, Strawberry Moon, is hosting a family friendly Beer and Prosecco Festival on the August Bank Holiday Weekend, in aid of local charity, Incubabies. The epic 3 day extravaganza will feature 30 cask ales, prosecco, gin, wines, food, incredible live music and fun for the kids, whilst raising money for an important cause in the process.

The weekend kicks off, on Saturday, 28 August 2021, from midday, with music from Lisa Tomlinson and Joe-Daniel Bennett. With 30 cask ales on offer from:- Liverpool Brewing Company, Brimstage Brewery, Team Toxic and Melwood Beer Company, there'll be plenty of quirky options and something for everyone; with quality:- Prosecco, Gin and wines on offer too.

The Sunday event will feature live music from Matty O'Shea and Joe Daniel Bennett, with the Monday event featuring Joe-Daniel Bennett and Friends. All 3 days are free to attend, with drinks tokens available for purchase, although booking a table is highly recommended if you're after food.

The gorgeous country venue, located on Station Road in Thurstaston, will be offering 2 menus over the weekend; with 1 main meal options and 1 with more festival style options. Tables are available to book inside, on the front patio, covered decking or side patio and there'll be a designated children's area with a bouncy castle and face painting and also dog friendly area.

In addition to a percentage of revenue being donated to local charity, Incubabies, there'll also be raffles for the charity over the weekend. The local charity was formed in 2017 in order to support the development of Arrowe Park Hospital's intensive care and high dependency neonatal unit. The purely volunteer run charity has raised an amazing ₤260,000 since its conception, with every penny going towards the project.

Recently awarded The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a charity can be granted, Incubabies aims to raise ₤1.5million towards updating the Hospital's baby unit. The Hospital has recently seen an increase from around 80 babies a year to around 400 and the charity wants to raise enough money to help fund modernisation, an extension, new equipment and even better facilities to accommodate demand.

Incubabies Trustee, Trudi Brooks, said:- "Strawberry Moon has been so supportive of our charity. We still have lots to raise to hit our target so it's fundraising activities like this that really make the difference. Strawberry Moon's recent charity night for us was really successful but this one is going to be even better! What better way to raise money than a festival?"

Jayne Kirwan from Strawberry Moon said:- "It's going to be such a fun weekend at Strawberry Moon with something for everyone; a fun day out for all ages with great music, food and drink. Incubabies is an amazing charity and it's such an important cause so we're delighted to support them through a fun three day festival! Strawberry Moon's August Bank Holiday Beer and Prosecco Festival starts at midday on Saturday, 28 August 2021 and runs for 3 days. The event is family and dog friendly and features 30 cask ales, prosecco, gin, wines, food and incredible live music in an idyllic setting, whilst raising money for local charity, Incubabies."

Strawberry Moon Beer and Prosecco Festival runs from:- Saturday, 28 August 2021 to Bank Holiday Monday, 30 August 2021, at:- Strawberry Moon, Station Road, Thurstaston, CH61 0HN.o
 

Grishma appointed to Equality and Diversity role at City Hearts

GRISHMA Bijukumar has recently been appointed as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, at Liverpool based national anti trafficking and crime free futures charity, City Hearts. Ms Bijukumar who lives in Liverpool, joins the rapidly expanding organization which started with a handful of volunteers 16 years ago, and now employs 130 staff who have supported over 3,000 men, women and children through the charity's network of UK safe houses. She brings expertise in the area of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) from her former work in Human Resources for a consulting group, prior to which she was Vice President of Welfare and Community for Lancaster University Student Union and member of the EDI committee.

Ms Bijukumar says:- "I am very excited to join City Hearts' journey towards integrating EDI in all aspects of the organisation. I was attracted to the role because here, people are truly at the heart of the organisation. I have already had a few fantastic months. We have some very exciting initiatives coming up, including launching our City Hearts EDI Strategy in Spring 2022 and work has also continued in improving our practices and policies. We have also become Stonewall Diversity Champions and will be applying for the Workplace Equality Index next Autumn. This work with Stonewall will be immensely beneficial for both our staff and clients in the promotion and implementation of LGBTQ+ inclusivity."

Ed Newton, CEO of City Hearts is delighted to announce Grishma's appointment:- "As an organization who has a vibrantly diverse staff with a range of faiths, backgrounds and sexuality supporting diverse survivors who need our help, I am pleased to welcome Grishma to the team. Her proven skills in implementing organisation wide Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion will be of great benefit to us as she develops our City Hearts strategy further. Raising awareness, promoting allyship and developing our processes will be a key part of Grishma's role. We are not an organisation which is content with the status quo. We seek to positively champion the diversity of our clients and staff and develop a fully inclusive culture. To ensure our ongoing development and that we are independently assessed to be at the forefront of best practise, City Hearts is delighted to have signed up to Stonewall's Diversity Champions charter this week."

A Stonewall spokesperson commended City Hearts' commitment:- "Stonewall is pleased to support City Hearts' wish to become recognised for their great work as diversity champions. We are pleased to be adding City Hearts to our network of Champions doing great work for LGBTQ+ people, encouraging joint working and sharing best practice. Stonewall works in partnership with a growing network of over 900 organisations to help create real change for the better. We work with our Diversity Champions to drive positive change and ensure that LGBTQ+ people can thrive at work."

City hearts exists to support society's most vulnerable people, to find out more visit:- CityHearts.Global.