Ipswich: Kingfisher Pub holds fun day for children’s charity

The owner of an Ipswich pub has said a charity fun day held at the venue yesterday was an “absolutely brilliant” success.

The Kingfisher, in Hawthorn Drive on the Chantry estate, held the event for Town 102’s Kids Trust.

The trust works with schools, youth groups and disabled children.

It aims to make life better for less privileged children and their families.

Julie Ridgeon, owner of the pub, was joined by Wayne Bavin and Brian Mann from the radio station, as well as Cheeko the Monkey, as families came to watch live performances from Stetsons are Cool, Dermot Gardiner and The Shovel Pluckers, while children were given the chance to have their faces painted. There was also a barbecue and a mini hog roast as those who came enjoyed the music while everyone was treated to a hot dog.

Kevin Ridgeon, Julie’s husband, died in September after he fell from an articulated lorry in Lichfield, near Birmingham.

He had just started working as a lorry driver again to support the running of the pub.

Mrs Ridgeon said: “This is the first event since the sad loss of Kevin.

“It was absolutely brilliant. It was a lovely day and the music was great.

“We raised £460 for the charity. We were really pleased. We must have had 60 people turn up, it was really well attended. There were lots of families there.

“It was quite a big step for us but it went really well. We had a really good day.”

The next event at the pub is as part of the Ipswich Has Got Talent event.

The pub will be hosting a heat, and fundraising through a ‘kamikaze karaoke’ on May 25.

Mrs Ridgeon explained: “People can pay for someone to sing a song of their choice.

“That person, if they want to, can sing the song, or buy their way out of it.”

For more information on the ‘kamikaze karaoke’ event call The Kingfisher on 01473 680300.