SHARE's Celebrating Diversity Garden Party a Sunny Success

We held our annual garden party on Thursday 11^th June with over 180 guests and plenty of VIPs.  This year, we raised nearly £2000 from the sale of raffle tickets, plants and art work.

The theme of the day was Celebrating Diversity.  Annie McDowall welcomed visitors and thanked the Patel Brothers of Tooting, and the Tooting Trade Association for sponsoring the event for the third year.  She also paid tribute to the members of the Khalsa Centre, Tooting, who had prepared the delicious buffet lunch, which was sponsored by the Patel Brothers and Gurkhas restaurant of Balham.  “This event is a wonderful example of community spirit and celebration of diversity,” Annie said.  She added, “Diversity is about a culture where people feel respected and valued and can contribute to their fullest potential.  Welcome to SHARE, a truly diverse organisation.” On behalf of the event’s sponsors, Mr Indrajit Patel, Chair of the Tooting Business Network and the Tooting Partnership, talked personally about what diversity meant to him, and Mr Pravin Pattni praised SHARE for the difference it makes to disabled people’s lives.  Special guest Martin Linton, MP for Battersea, talked about the way things are changing for disabled children and adults. 

The highlight of the day was the prize draw.  The Mayor of Lambeth, Councillor Chris Wellbelove and the Deputy Mayor of Wandsworth, Councillor Jane Cooper took turns to pick 20 lucky winners.  Everyone who attended, including the Mayors, contributed to the community mosaic which will be put on display in the SHARE Garden.   Rebecca Emmott, Chair of SHARE Community, said, “The garden looked amazing, we had some very distinguished guests and even the rain held off!”.