THE MAYOR of Basingstoke was honoured to open a charity event for young people with special needs and disabilities earlier this month.

On Saturday, September 4 the Forever Smiling charity held the fun filled event for a whopping 400 children, who attended the evening with their families at the 4Kingdoms Adventure Park in Headley.

During the evening Wolverton Park Roasts supplied three hog roasts for all the guests and was enjoyed by everyone.

Councillor Onnalee Cubitt, the mayor of Basingstoke, who opened the evening, said she was honoured to open the "joyous occasion".

She said: “It was lovely to see so many smiley, happy children, parents and carers having such a great time. The last 18 months have been a rubbish time for so many. "

The idea behind the event was to give something back to those who face difficult challenges.

Councillor Cubitt added: "It is great that Forever Smiling was able to give some joy to those whose lives are more demanding and more difficult at the best of times.”

The charity was started in 2017 by Charlene when her brother Daniel Rolfe passed away at the age of 21.

The name Forever Smiling came from a football shirt Daniel was given for his 21st birthday in Southampton Intensive Care unit but he sadly never got to wear it.

Charlene said: “ He was my best friend I want his legacy to go on.

“We want to raise money so we can help the people of the community with learning disabilities and the local charities that were close to Daniel's heart.”

For more information about the charity and how you can support them visit their website: https://foreversmilinguk.co.uk/.