Karen and I arrived at 4pm and met with Sue at the Boathouse. We were joined by Rich and Martin and also Thembi and another volunteer from London Borough of Bexley (who were working alone and asked to join us) so we made up a group of 7 hi viz heroes along with many others including Zahra from Mencap with her team and a huge group of Army Cadets and Police Cadets.

We were briefed by Danny, one of the event organisers. Our role was to be a presence in and around the event, answer questions about toilet facilities, location of the firework display, first aid, lost property hub and how to deal with incident referrals such as lost children and trouble. Which I am happy to report there was none!

We had access to 50% discounts on food trucks up until the park opening at 5pm which some of us took advantage of. Along with free tea, coffee, cold drinks, sweets and snacks in the volunteers marquee. We made ourselves a coffee then had a walk around the site to familiarise ourselves with the pricing and locations of everything.

After this we had a bit of free time to enjoy the rides ourselves. Three of us went on the ghost train and were confronted at every dark corner with ghouls and ghosts galore! Karen then suggested the waltzer. My school girl error was to tell the twister man not to twist me. Of course I came off feeling a bit dizzy and green and my head was pounding. My suggestion for a “ride” was the mirror maze. Sue and I managed to get out reasonably quickly however Martin was disappearing further in but eventually escaped unscathed.

We then spent an hour or so walking the site and answering questions from the visitors.

Whilst we waited for the fireworks and made ourselves available near the main thoroughfare for people entering the park we had a dance, led mainly by Sue, to some of the tunes being played by the resident DJ from Maritime Radio. He spotted us and came over to talk to us about how we got involved. Karen explained that we were part of the Mencap cohort and I told him a little bit about Goodgym and the exercise and good deeds ethos of the group. He invited Goodgym to come along to the live radio show to accept one of their monthly “Hearts of Gold” awards. An unexpected bonus for sure!!

Soon after this the countdown to the fireworks began. A rousing first explosion of colour was accompanied musically by “The Greatest Show” followed by a plethora of different fireworks, small, large, curly, sparkly, loud bangs, whistles and dancing stars. Finishing with an absolutely beautiful crescendo of red and white chrysanthemums across the night sky.

A bit more dancing was on the cards and we led some of the visitors in the Cha Cha slide!!! After handing in our hi viz jackets and a bit of lost property we’d been given we were free to leave.

Such a great way to see the fireworks but more importantly to give something to the local community. Not money but time, which can of course be equally precious with the busy lives we lead.

Lisa Baxter