Message of Peace from the Mayor of Croydon, South London, UK: Celebration and Fundraise

Message of Peace from The Mayor of Croydon Celebration and Fundraise South London, United Kingdom, December 14, 2019 By Dolores Read introduced two speakers, Trisha Muirhead-Hewitt and Ashley Crosthwaite, who provided excellent insights into their

W respective charities’ purposes and activities. Trisha spoke about e are going to combine all the community together, the genesis of the Ashdown Jazz Academy as the legacy of her and I give them a challenge to come up with music daughter Ashdon, who tragically died in 2014. Ashley so that all these 4 or 5 different ethnic communities Crosthwaite, Director of IRFF-UK, a sister organisation to UPF in Croydon can do music together and dance and WFWP, spoke about how the Destiny Junior School in together” was the declaration by the Mayor of Croydon, Uganda has grown through the support of IRFF and various Councillor Humayun Kabir, expressing his vision of bringing organisations contributing funds. He explained the challenges harmony among the diverse groups resident in the borough. He faced by the children such as access to clean sanitation, health emphasised that although individual communities are good at services and education, and mentioned how relief provided by promoting their own art, culture and music, there is a need to IRFF has dramatically improved their lives and future bring everyone together – this is the driving force behind his 11 opportunities. March community celebration event planned in the New Year. Addressing a 50-strong audience at the joint WFWP and UPF A prize-draw raffle held at the close of the proceedings raised Christmas Celebration held at the Peace Embassy, Haslemere monies to support both the IRFF and Ashdon Jazz Academy Hall, in Thornton Heath on 14th December 2019, the Mayor charities. also spoke about his 5 chosen charities which he has been The varied programme also included entertainment in the form earnestly supporting, all reflecting concerns faced by people in of a topical quiz, titled “Christmas in Croydon”, as well as the borough today, including the mental health and self-esteem wonderful musical contributions from young performers, of young and vulnerable people, and easing refugee hardship. including renditions of “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” He concluded by recognising the valuable role played by the and “When Christmas Comes to Town”. Towards the end of hosting organisations and the Haslemere Hall venue as a the formal programme, the Mayor led a toast to celebrate the welcoming place that people of all different faiths and people of Croydon who have worked so hard in giving to the backgrounds could use to their mutual benefit. community, and the audience participated in singing “We Wish The programme was opened by the Master of Ceremonies, Tina You a Merry Christmas” in a resounding finale. The Coombs, who introduced the celebration theme “Peace and participants stayed on to enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner and Goodwill to All” by affirming that underpinning the desire for a lovely time of fellowship together. peace there has to be love, and that Christmas is a special time to share love within our families and communities. She