Post Passover Bagel launch
On Thursday 16th April, WJR staff, volunteers and supporters took to the streets of Golders Green to mark the end of the (Jewish festival) Passover and promote the charity's exciting community event - the Big Bagel. Activities on the evening included conducting a survey about bagels -- to finally get those burning bagel questions answered - and showcasing Mr and Mrs Bagel, WJR's life sized bagel costumes emblazoned with WJR and Big Bagel branding.
As crowds flocked to Golders Green's popular Carmelli's bakery to celebrate the end of the festival (of unleavened bread), WJR was ready with balloons key rings and leaflets to promote the Big Bagel. At the same time, volunteers surveyed those who had come to buy their first taste of bread in over a week. Of the 100 people surveyed, more than 50% said that their favourite bagel filling is smoked salmon and cream cheese, 13% didn't realise that boiling was part of the bagel baking process and a staggering 45% of people thought that the first bagel was made in 1893 -- but in reality it was 1683.
The official Big Bagel weekend takes place on 15th to 17th May and is a new type of community event that anyone can be part of, whenever and wherever they want -- at home, school, work, synagogue or in the community. The Big Bagel gives everyone the chance to do something productive and genuinely effective to help transform the lives of the vulnerable people that WJR supports. 180 individual events are already being planned, including fifteen regional events being held in Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Southend and Kidderminster. A wide range of bagel themed events are already planned, ranging from bagel brunches to bagel bridge tournaments and bagel dog walks.
Laura Grossman, Community Fundraiser at WJR, commented: "Thursday night was great fun and a real treat for those who thought they were just popping out to buy their bagels. Greeted by life-sized Mr and Mrs Bagel, shoppers got a taste of WJR's community-wide bagel initiative, encouraging individuals to share bagel brunches with friends and family whilst raising funds for WJR. There's still plenty of time for you to organize your own brunch and be part of the Big Bagel. A must for anyone who loves their bagels and wants to do their bit for charity."
Register online at www.wjr.org.uk/bigbagel to receive your free fundraising pack. For more information call Laura on 020 8736 1250 or email bigbagel@wjr.org.uk to find out more.
