When Francis House Children's Hospice called for volunteers from Nexperia UK to support its Bonfire and Fireworks Show in Wilmslow, Hazel proudly represented both Nexperia and GoodGym Stockport.

Hazel was assigned to one of the evening's most important roles: Fireworks Marshal. The shift began with a safety briefing from the pyrotechnicians, who stressed two key rules: stay outside the 2-metre safety zone and avoid looking directly into the high-powered lasers. The briefing was certainly effective, leaving the volunteers feeling both well-informed and slightly apprehensive!

Fortunately, the event ran smoothly. The crowd was friendly and well-behaved, the weather remained pleasant for most of the evening, and although it turned chilly and foggy in the second half, the bonfire, fireworks, and laser displays did not disappoint.

An unexpected perk of the role was a front-row position at the safety perimeter, giving Hazel one of the best views of the spectacular show. Not a bad reward for a night's volunteering.

Most importantly, the event raised valuable funds for Francis House (from estimated crowd of ~5000) and the vital support it provides to children and families. A successful evening, a worthy cause, and happily, no breaches of the laser safety rules. 🎆