Hundreds Brave Rain to Support Charities at Mayor’s Picnic in Cowley
- james carson
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
Hundreds of residents turned out for the Mayor of Hillingdon’s annual picnic on Saturday 7th June, held at Cowley Recreation Ground, raising funds and awareness for two local causes — the Stroke Association Hillingdon and SEND Family Support in Hillingdon.
Despite the damp weather, spirits remained high as crowds gathered for an afternoon of family-friendly entertainment, live performances, and community stalls. The event was hosted by the Mayor and his team, who were joined by local councillors, MPs, and community leaders to celebrate and support the borough’s vibrant voluntary sector.
Attractions included live music, dancers, a petting zoo, rock climbing, inflatables, face painting, and performances by Hillingdon Music Service. Vendors offered a wide range of food and refreshments, including Caribbean dishes, pizza, burgers, and desserts — with a share of sales going directly to the mayor’s charities.
A standout moment came when the Mayor, undeterred by the rain, stood with attendees to watch performers on stage — a poignant gesture that didn’t go unnoticed by the crowd.
Lucy and Ricky, who run the Stroke Association in Hillingdon, expressed their appreciation:
“It’s truly wonderful to be chosen as one of the Mayor’s charities this year. Events like this help raise vital awareness and funding, and seeing the community come together like this — even in the rain — is incredibly heartwarming.”
Sara, a Hillingdon resident and founder of the local therapy service Butterfly Mind Works, added:
“I had a wonderful day — I met so many lovely people and made new friends. A huge thank you to the Mayor. I’m proud to support the charities just by being here.”
Over 25 community organisations and services were represented on the day, including Hillingdon Vision, Youth Team, Dr Bike, the Narrow Boat Society, Botwell Sports, and local emergency services. Stalls offered games, information, and hands-on activities, creating a festival atmosphere despite the light rain.
The picnic once again proved to be a major highlight in the local calendar, combining celebration with purpose. Organisers confirmed that all proceeds from the day would be donated to the Mayor’s two chosen charities.
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