Wakefield’s first Great Fun Day & Iftaar a roaring success!

Saturday the 17^th of June saw the advent of Wakefield’s first ever Great Fun Day & Community Iftaar Dinner - amid a sparkling day of sunshine. The event was part of the wider Jo Cox Great Get Together, in memory of the late Batley MP.

Organised by Penny Appeal in collaboration with West Yorkshire Police, Wakefield Council, Wakefield College and Wakefield District Housing, the Fun Day attracted over 1500 guests to the Thornes Park Campus of Wakefield College. 

In an event that brought together people from all backgrounds and walks of life, the Fun Day entertained revellers with a whole host of activities. A free three-course meal was provided, with members of the Muslim community able to break their fast during Ramadan, and share in the spirit of this holy occasion.  

Entertainment began at 7pm and included flag making, a bouncy castle, henna painting, poetry reading, comedy and prizes. Ridings FM was present, with music also provided by acoustic duo, Pearls of Islam. Politician and member of the House of Lords, Baroness Warsi, delivered a keynote speech, saying: “What an amazing legacy that all of us here from so many different backgrounds, so many different faiths and none, so many different ethnicities, and so many different experiences have come together today.” A number of other speakers, including Chief Superintendent Mabs Hussein, from West Yorkshire Police, joined the Baroness.

The Fun Day showcased all that’s good about the integration of different people in and around Wakefield, with members of varying faiths and of none underlining the strong sense of community that brings people together in celebration. Penny Appeal Chairman, Adeem Younis said, “There’s so much more that unites us than divides us – and this is what the event was all about”.

Before everyone came to break bread together and enjoy the three-course meal, 1000 balloons were released in memory of the late MP for Batley Jo Cox. Jo was a great advocate of bringing people together, no matter where they came from or what they believed, the whole event passed in very much the same spirit.  

In a tribute to the amount of people who attended, Harris Iqbal, Head of Programmes for Penny Appeal said, “Today we’ve seen people come together from all backgrounds – and what an amazing turnout we’ve had!”