On Friday 7th November, five members of the K2 UK team spent the day helping set up for an extra special fundraising event: Basil’s Bonfire Bash.
Now in its third year, Basil’s Bonfire Bash was set up by Cathy Wise, Basil’s mum, as a way of celebrating her son’s birthday whilst also raising vital funds for Jigsaw Trust, and the Jigsaw CABAS School that Basil attends.
Through Jigsaw CABAS School, as well as JigsawPlus adult day service and Jigsaw Enterprises, Jigsaw Trust aims to create more opportunities for autistic people through the provision of high quality and accessible educational, vocational and wellbeing services.
With much preparation required to make an event like Basil’s Bonfire Bash happen, K2 offered to provide some reinforcements, and five volunteers from K2’s Guildford office headed over to Cathy and Basil’s family home on the day before the celebration to help get everything ready.
Following a briefing meeting, during which the team received a run-down of all the jobs that needed to be completed, the group got to work. Key tasks included setting up the outside space for food, cleaning and stocking the garages with drinks and treats for those attending, and putting lights and signage up along the road to guide people to the event. The group also helped to make a Guy for the bonfire.
Global Marketing Manager, Shelley Jarlett-Hill, who attended the event as well as helping with the set up, comments:
“We had to battle the elements, with lots of rain making it a bit of a soggy set up day, but we got through the list of tasks Cathy had for us, and left them in a good place, ready for the event on Saturday.”
Shelley continues:
“The event itself was very well attended, and thankfully, it was much drier than the day before! Everyone seemed to have a great time, and the fireworks were truly spectacular. It was wonderful to be a small part of such a brilliant event and help raise money for Jigsaw Trust – winning the raffle was an added bonus!”
In addition to the dazzling fireworks display, provided by K2’s CEO, Nick Plummer, attendees were able to enjoy hot food, cold drinks, and family friendly festivities throughout the course of the evening.
Whilst the event wasn’t ticketed, people were encouraged to make donations to help Cathy achieve her £3500 fundraising target. The money raised from the event will go towards buying sensory equipment for Jigsaw CABAS School.
Reflecting on the success of this year’s Bonfire Bash, Cathy says:
“Basil’s Bonfire was a roaring success: we had a fantastic attendance, and everyone really enjoyed the homemade chilli and the fire juggler in front of the bonfire. We created the perfect finale to the evening by lighting up the skies with Nick’s incredible fireworks, followed by sparklers and toffee apples to top off the traditional bonfire night experience.”
Cathy adds:
“Thanks to all the generous donations and help from K2 staff we broke through our target of £3500, which means that we can provide Jigsaw School (where our son, Basil, is a pupil) with new sensory kits to help the children to self-regulate and find a moment of calm. With SEND budgets under increasing pressure, and EHCPs rising, fundraising is crucial to sustain the outstanding, and much-needed, services and one-to-one teaching that schools like Jigsaw provide.”
Cathy’s JustGiving page is still open if you would like to make a donation.
For more information about the work that Jigsaw Trust do, head over to their website.
