During Niemann-Pick Awareness Week 2006 Liz Jacklin organised 3 balloon races. She writes:

“The first started out as a small family gathering, my dad’s wife had family over from South Africa and she was hosting a family get together for them. I saw this as a perfect opportunity to have a party with a difference and we sold balloons to all the party guests. We sold 49 balloons and sent the visitors back armed with literature about Niemann-Pick

On 24th July Denton District Scouts held a Fun Day and Challenge day in the Town’s park. We sold balloons at all the groups in the district leading up to the event and on the day. The afternoon was filled with activities, SUMO wrestling (with inflatables!) assault courses, individual challenges. DECATHLON donated a pop up tent and we held a competition to see who could erect the tent in the fastest time. The winner was another scout leader who put up the tent and placed two roll mats inside and lay on them in 30.4 seconds! All proceeds were donated to the Niemann-Pick Group. We ended the day with a Teddy Bears Picnic and then let off 150 balloons. Everybody had a really good time (and in good scout tradition got some badges!)

The last day at nursery for my son Alex and his classmates was marked by Niemann-Pick Day. All the nursery staff and children dressed in yellow. In the nursery entrance was a display explaining about Niemann-Pick with literature for parents to take away. In the afternoon all the children had a teddy Bears picnic with all the food either yellow or teddy bear shaped! At the end of the picnic we let off over 100 balloons to the delight of all the children.

The local press came and featured our events.
The winning balloon was found in Denmark! We have sent a Niemann-Pick T Shirt as a thank you to the person that returned it and the person that bought the winning balloon won a picnic hamper with chocolates and wine, donated by Tesco’s and Morrison’s.

A huge thank you to every body that got involved it was great fun and we raised £390!”