In the run-up to Christmas, some of our key All-Stars mooted the idea of putting on an event that could bring the wider body of All-Stars together while at the same time raising money for our work in East Africa!
How amazing is that?! Young people in Rhondda fundraising for the work we do in Tanzania!!!
After brainstorming with the Marvels, everything seemed to be pointing to a Christmas Fancy Dress Party!!!
“It was always going to achieve the key objectives”, said Team leader, Lawrie, “Add in the fact that we’d get some great photos for the magazine and that Chris could finally wear the Chicken suit Justine bought him for his birthday, and it was a done deal!”
“Given the success of the All-Star Presentation Evening last June, Ystrad Labour Club were more than happy to accommodate us, despite the short notice. We took it as a sign, and ploughed forward!”
“Seriously though, it all fitted together brilliantly because we’re a ministry that’s built on the principles of sowing and reaping: individually, corporately and also, from a community transformation perspective. If we’re aiming to transform Rhondda, then for transformation to be our harvest we must also sow into other places believing that they too will be blessed by God. It’s only after we’ve sown that we can believe for a harvest ourselves. To develop this heart in our All-Stars, the vast majority of whom are unsaved, is both incredible and a huge privilege!”
Although the event fell under the Sporting Marvels umbrella, only Becky of the Marvels was actively involved in the planning.
“It’s always been in our thinking to get the All Stars involved in the East Africa arm to Sporting Marvels,” she said. “The Mighty Marvels have been involved at a small level for years and it’s something we often talk about with the All-Stars in the Comps. Partners will recall the All-Star trip to Tanzania in October 2009 that was such a big deal in Chelsea and Smithy emerging as Marvels-in-waiting. So it’s a natural development to get them all to focus on what we do in East Africa at the same time as they had fun doing it. The goal is to build. Staff and fund and orphanage in Babati and we hope that when the All-Star trip scheduled for this coming October get to go, they’ll see and enjoy the progress that’s been made”.
“We have an amazing group of very capable sixth “We have a great group of sixth form All Stars at Tonypandy and they had everything under control. Led by Chelsey Thomas, James Bailey and Chelsea’s sister, Paige Martin, they did a really excellent job”. fantastic job I just hope when they visit in October that they can see how their endeavours are going to help change lives!”
108 tickets were snapped up by current All-Stars and we even had former All-Stars like Kate Tyler as well as some of Chelsea’s girls from Bod Welsh who are now in Cymer!
As the photos show, the creativity and effort was awesome - from Marvels and All-Stars alike. But the winner of the overall competition for best fancy dress was Ellie Peever from Ferndale, dressed as the baby from the Evian water advert, complete with roller skates and all!!
It was a great night and what’s more, raised over £350!! A big well done!!
