Youth Action Team: The Big Silly Sleepwalk- The Aftermath

It wasn’t just the delivery of a promise to raise a minimum of £500 that was worrying me; it was also whether or not we were utilising the £750 worth of funding awarded to us by London Youth. I should also admit that I was worried about what I would wear too- I say I’m a girl, it’s my prerogative.

Having learned from our past events, we decided to start early on Sunday morning as there was a lot of setting up to do. We still had 11 bags of ice to buy, to set up our tables and stands and to register those volunteers who decided to turn up on the day. Our general volunteers turned up an hour early too to help post the signs and arrows and start the bucket collection. Amidst the million and one things that were in progress, our wonderful sponsored started trickling in, gathering in front of that glorious mansion whilst sporting the ‘just-rolled-out-of-bed-and-into-the-park’ look. We loved it.

Most volunteers turned up in fancy dress, some costumes more daring the others. Mona Shehab came dressed as a giant whoopee cushion, she even voluntarily made the noises when poked. Iniyam created her own innovative teacup outfit, fit with a handle and ‘The Dream Factory’ marked all over. Lauren made a very lovely grown baby bunny. I think that’s right. She led the procession in her adult baby grow whilst accessorising with a bowtie, bunny ears, a bunny wand and a bunny dance. However, by far the most, let’s say ‘interesting’, outfit was Adonis in his white morph suit. Words will not do it justice. See the pictures below.

Once our volunteers were briefed as to what would be expected of them on the day, our dhol player Anil kicked off the event. We walked in an organised fashion, held up our picket signs, encircled the park and shaking our buckets, we collected money from those Sunday afternoon park-goers. The generosity of the public can also not go unnoticed. Our bucket collections proved very successful, with even 10 year olds on their bikes throwing in their pocket money or change after buying an ice cream. Attracted by the dhol playing and the parade of fancy dress, there were curious eyes in every direction. We fulfilled our aim to raise awareness of the charity on that day as a countless number of people approached us to find out more about the Dream Factory and other ways they can help the charity out.

The event was nicely wrapped up with a quiet awards ceremony outside the Walled Gardens, near the mansion. Fellow YAT member Alex gave a little speech, talking about our journey through planning this project, our shopping trips and overall how rewarding an experience the event proved to be. The Deputy Mayor followed with a short congratulations and handed out trophies for the following awards:
- Wackiest costume: Mona Shehab
- Most money raised: Ahtisham Aziz
- Most helpful volunteer: Tahseer Khan
- Worst luck: Iniyam Subramoney
- Special recognition: Anil Blaggan

Avril of the Dream Factory said a few words thanking us for all our hard work and was so pleased so see how easily and successfully we all worked together promoting a cause we, initially, knew little about. We then presented her with the big cheque which boasted our 4-digit figure, at almost three times more than our target amount, £1283.40p! Photographs were taken of this glorious moment. And of course more photographs were taken with the Deputy Mayor, of the volunteers and the Youth Action Team.