Local celebrities in the mix at Darts Farm

The festive season kicked off slightly early this year for local charity Families for Children Adoption. Over 30 adopted children were invited to stir up some Christmas puddings with charity Patrons, Michael Caines MBE, Judi Spiers and David Lawrence-Jones.

Stir up Sunday is traditionally the day for everyone in the family to take a turn at stirring the Christmas pudding, whilst making a wish. Earlier this month at Darts Farms, Michael, Judi and David rolled up their sleeves to help adopted children from across the region do just that and create their own Christmas puddings.

Michael, who was adopted into an Exeter family, has been running this event for the charity for over 8 years and credits Families for Children with making him the person he is today and often comments about his adoption.

He says; ‘As always it was another successful Stir Up Sunday. I was joined by the adopted children and their families to make my mother’s Christmas pudding recipe, which made me very proud to be the Patron of this charity. Thanks to the Dart brothers for supporting the event yet again. May I wish all the adoptees and their families a very Merry Christmas.”

Judi, who is also a Patron of the charity, said ‘"If anyone had ever told me that making Christmas puddings with 30 children could be fun I’d have said they were mad! It was fabulous…but I am still getting the mix out of my hair!”

Families for Children have placed over 30 vulnerable children this year with families in Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Cornwall. They are also supporting over 120 families with their adoption support services, which is a vital element of their work to ensure families stay together.

All of the children they place have experienced extreme trauma in their early lives. The agency places children from birth upwards and specialises in placing older children, those in large sibling groups and also children with disabilities and extra needs.

David Lawrence –Jones, Local Author has been a patron of the charity for over 2 years now and says of the event, “Every year we celebrate Christmas with a Stir Up at darts Farm and I never tire of seeing the look of excitement on the children’s faces, as their hands delve into the pudding mix!”

The charity would particularly like to thank all their Patrons and Darts Farm who have supported this event for many years and made it the fun, family experience it was again this year.

For more details on adoption or if you would like to support the charity please contact Families for Children on 01364 645480 or visit www.famileisforchildren.org.uk