And it was all yellow

By llinham

A series of yellow-hued events took place in Glastonbury on Friday to honour the memory of a little girl and to give hope to parents whose children are seriously ill.

Friday was Yellow Day in the town, and everyone involved helped to raise £1,400 for Martha Care, the charity that helps to support families with very sick children.

Martha Care was set up by Glastonbury resident Maggie Mickshick in memory of her daughter, Martha, who died in 2006 after battling against a brain tumour for several years.

Yellow Day saw the town hall decorated in yellow – Martha's favourite colour – and the High Street and town centre was festooned with ribbons.

St John's Primary School, St Benedict's Primary School and St Dunstan's all held yellow-themed events of their own, and the charity set up a stall in the market place selling hand-made yellow flower brooches and joke books.

Cllr John Coles made a dog training DVD featuring the skills of Graham Coles, the town crier of Glastonbury.

Heritage Fine Foods in the High Street raised £162.79 with a raffle, and the Mayor of Glastonbury, Cllr Tom Billing, busked in the Market Place while Lady Mayoress Sherryl Brion collected cash from passers-by, raising £156.71.

Glastonbury Surgery raised about £150 for the charity, and Enchanted Florals raised more than £40 by selling yellow posies.

The event concluded at 4.30pm when the mayor and the town crier released 200 yellow balloons into the sky, all carrying messages for loved ones.

"I was overwhelmed by the support the people of Glastonbury showed us, and it's reflected in the money that we raised on the day," said Maggie, who chairs the Martha Care Trust.

"Parents of all ages and walks of life came up to me to tell me how it had been for them while they cared for a child in hospital.

"As I listened to the stories of their own poorly children, I became all the more determined to give families their voice and make sure they get the help they so desperately need to care for their very ill or injured little ones."

The charity has announced plans to hold next year's Yellow Day on April 1, and the organisers are already on the lookout for volunteers to get involved.

For more information, contact Maggie on 07761 832898 or visit www.martha caretrust.btik.com.