A MENTAL health charity will take a trip to Neverland when they host their 23rd annual fundraising festival in Oxford this weekend.

More than 3,000 residents are expected to flock to Restore’s Elder Stubbs Festival on Saturday.

The Peter Pan themed bash will be held on the nine-acre Elder Stubbs Allotment site, in Rymers Lane, Cowley.

Giant crocodiles, a pirate treasure hunt, the Lost Boys and Tinkerbell will all make a special appearance at the family event. The charity, based in Manzil Way, off Cowley Road, hopes the event will help challenge the stigma surrounding mental health.

Festival coordinator Katie Rowell said: “The biggest aim is to raise awareness of mental health as an issue and also start to break down some of the misconceptions that people have.

“It’s about demonstrating that it’s not very different from physical difficulties and people with mental health issues can achieve amazing things.”

Staff, volunteers and people who use the charity have been working since May to ensure the festival is a success. Youngsters from Larkrise Primary School, in Boundary Brook Road, also helped, designing posters and programmes.

Festivities will include live music and entertainment, along with a host of family activities between noon and 6pm. For more information call 01865 455826.

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone's contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.


Our top stories