News 2026

A Wonderful Weekend at Dreamdrops Clay Day

What a fantastic weekend of clay and creativity at this year’s Dreamdrops Clay Day!

Members of the Collins Club spent two enjoyable days getting stuck in with clay, learning new skills, and creating an amazing variety of pieces. With support and encouragement from Dreamdrops volunteers Phillipa Winser, Pauline Rawlings, and Liz Erskine, participants of all abilities were able to explore their creativity and put their own unique stamp on their creations.

Kindly hosted by Richard and Kate Cranwell, the event was filled with laughter, imagination, and plenty of fun throughout the weekend.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part, donated their time and talents, and helped make the event such a success.

We’re already looking forward to next year’s Clay Day!

Supporting Children at Somersham School

Dreamdrops was delighted to visit Somersham School and present a selection of SEND equipment to help support the children in their learning and development.

The equipment was received by the school’s dedicated SEND Coordinator, Vicky Gardner, who was thrilled to accept the donation on behalf of the students. These resources will help ensure that children with additional needs have access to the tools and support they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

At Dreamdrops, we are passionate about improving opportunities for local children and young people. Seeing first-hand the positive impact that these donations can make is always incredibly rewarding.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who supports Dreamdrops. Your generosity enables us to continue providing vital resources and creating brighter futures for children across our community.

Big Dreams, Big Music!

We have some extremely exciting news to share about our
children’s weekly music sessions and it all started with a big dream!

Back in late 2024, we wanted to create something truly special for our children. Inspired by Sir David Stanley and The Music Man Project, our committee member Wendy Baker attended an incredible performance at the Royal Albert Hall. It sparked an idea – why not create something similar for our local children?

And so, our music sessions began, giving children the chance to experience the joy of music and, one day, perhaps even perform on a big stage themselves.

Wendy said: “Fast forward to now and wow, what a journey it’s been! Our children have grown in confidence, found their voices, and absolutely blossomed. Watching them sing, smile, and support each other has been truly magical.”

And now for the exciting part…

We are delighted to share that we’ve been accepted into The Music Man Project, an amazing international charity that opens music and performance opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

This means even more opportunities, incredible experiences, and the chance to perform at larger venues – maybe even the Royal Albert Hall in the future!

With the support of The Music Man Project and our fantastic music tutor, Nicola New, our children are going from strength to strength. Most importantly, they are being given the chance to shine, be heard, and show just how amazing they truly are.

This is only the beginning and we can’t wait to see where this adventure takes us!

Find out more about The Music Man Project: https://themusicmanproject.com/

Download The Music Man Project Flyer 2026 and see their press portfolio The Music Man Project Press Portfolio.

Volunteers’ Week – Celebrating the Heart of Dreamdrop

During Volunteers’ Week, from 1-7 June, we proudly celebrate the incredible people who give their time, kindness, compassion, and energy to support children and families across Huntingdonshire.

At Dreamdrops, Huntingdonshire Children’s Charity, our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do.

Behind every smile, every special event, every comforting moment, and every child who feels supported, there is a volunteer making a difference.

Our volunteers give their time in so many ways – helping at events, supporting families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), organising fundraising activities, delivering gifts at Christmas, supporting music therapy sessions, helping at community coffee mornings, assisting with outings and experiences, and standing beside families during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

What makes Dreamdrops special is not only what we do, but the way our volunteers care.
They bring warmth, patience, understanding, and friendship to families who often face daily challenges that others may never see.

Many of our volunteers quietly give hundreds of hours behind the scenes, arranging fundraising events, collecting donations, preparing resources, supporting administration, promoting awareness online, and ensuring every project runs smoothly. They do this not for recognition, but because they genuinely care about improving the lives of local children and families.

Christine Luckham, Chairman of Dreamdrops, said: “Volunteers are the heartbeat of Dreamdrops. Their kindness, dedication, and compassion make an enormous difference to the children and families we support. We simply could not do what we do without them. During Volunteers’ Week, we want every volunteer to know just how valued and appreciated they truly are.”

Volunteers’ Week is an opportunity for us all to say:

Thank you
Thank you for the time you give
Thank you for the care you show
Thank you for the smiles you create
Thank you for helping children feel included, supported, and valued and thank you for helping Dreamdrops continue making a real difference to local children.

Kings of Belgians helping to raises funds for Dreamdrops

Another busy weekend for the Dreamdrops team at the annual King of the Belgians beer festival, where all profits are donated to local charities, including Dreamdrops.

The event was a great success in the very hot weather, and a huge thank you goes to the King of the Belgians team for all their hard work in making the weekend such an enjoyable one for everyone involved.

We would also like to thank our fantastic Dreamdrops volunteers for helping with the clear-up duties throughout the event, and a special mention to Mr Paul Baker for giving up four hours of his time to support the team and keep all the thirsty customers hydrated!

We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from the local community, and we look forward to sharing the fundraising total soon.

Buckden FC Owls Inclusion Development presented with new kit

Dreamdrops presented Buckden FC Owls Inclusion Development with their brand new kit on 29 March 2026 and what a brilliant moment it was!

This is what it’s all about support from the community helping more children get involved, feel part of a team, and just enjoy playing football together. It’s so much more than a new kit! It’s smiles, confidence, and making memories on and off the pitch.

Matt Gill from All Inclusive Football Coaching CIC said: “We’re so grateful to Mike and all at Dreamdrops for our amazing shirts and hoodies. At All Inclusive Football Coaching CIC our whole mission is to help anyone get the chance to play football and be part of a team, especially with SEND children, and this is no more evident than with the group that started it all off for us, Buckden FC Owls Inclusion Development.

“This kit will not only help them feel more part of a team but will mean that they can continue to have fun, playing football without judgement and on their terms, in their own environment, with their teammates. Along with some children from our other groups, we can also take them along to play in matches at local Pan Disability football festivals too.

“Thank you Dreamdrops.”

Pinpoint Annual Conference

The Pinpoint Annual Conference will take place on 10 March 2026 from 9.30am to 2.15pm.
Location: Burgess Hall, Westwood Road, St Ives, Cambridgeshire PE27 6WU.

For parent carers of children and young people with SEND and supporting professionals.

Marketplace open from 11am to 2.15pm – providing support, information and advice from local services.

To find out more please visit: Pinpoint Annual Conference – Pinpoint

Fundraising Highlight 2025!

What a year! Dreamdrops has been buzzing with generosity, creativity, and community spirit, with supporters from across Huntingdonshire coming together to make magical things happen for local children. Here’s our joyful roundup of everything you helped us achieve in 2025!

Fundraising Triumphs and Community Support

Old Nene Golf and Country Club smashed their fundraising target with an incredible £2,794!
A generous £500 donation arrived from the Socrates 373 Masons in Huntingdon.
Dreamdrops rocked Buckfest Music Festival, with a £123 tombola total and an amazing £2,000 donation from organisers as one of their 10 chosen charities!
Tesco St Neots contributed a much appreciated £200.
The Royal Oak, Hail Weston Sunday night quiz raised £101 in support of our monthly SEN Parents’ Coffee Morning.
We proudly presented the Dreamdrops Community Award to Francesca Maddocks and Jessica French (Dunelm Huntingdon) for 4–5 years of Giving Tree magic.
St Ivo Masonic Lodge of Freemans St Ives donated £290.
Mary Warren and the Pins and Needles Club in St Neots stitched together a wonderful £200 donation.
The Simplify Trust named Dreamdrops their Local Charity of the Year.
Dreamdrops Chairman Christine Luckham received a prestigious community award from Cllr Karl Brockett, honouring 20 years of extraordinary service.
Our Dreamdrops Clay Day gave Collins Club children a creative weekend, thanks to the talents and support of Richard Cranwell, Emandu Cranwell, and Liz Deeks.
The Huntingdonshire Philharmonic event raised £15.50.
Ted Francis gifted £200.
Freight Shield Repair and Service LTD added a generous £500 donation.
St Ivo Academy raised a jaw-dropping £1,943!
A kind grandparent donated £35.
Collins Club children enjoyed a magical Lady Bird Boat trip, spotting wildlife and soaking up nature — thank you to the Lady Bird team!
Children enjoyed a fantastic fishing adventure at Greensands Fishery, with heartfelt thanks to Richard, Pip, and the Fly-Fishing Academy – sixty fish brought to the bank! A brilliant Great Addington Fly Fishing Day added to the year’s excitement.
Notcutts Brampton continued to provide a warm, welcoming space for our monthly Dreamdrops gatherings.
The Bill Boles Adventure Day at Grafham Water gave children with complex needs and their families a thrilling day of archery, climbing, canoeing, and outdoor exploration.
Steve Bradshaw and friends raised £475 at a charity golf day at Lakeside Lodge Pidley.
Julie and Karl Brockett raised £200 at their charity bingo event at the Bay Leaf Care Home.
St Ivo Lodge Huntingdon raised £315 through their raffle.
Our second Dreamdrops Community Award of the year went to Richard and Kate Cranwell for their exceptional support of Clay and Pottery events for Collins Club children.
The Tropic Christmas Shopping Event, hosted by Helen from Tropic and Anne-Marie Hamilton, raised £140.
Penny Wilkes crafted beautiful hand-knitted items that delighted the families we support.
The Dunelm Huntingdon and Tesco Huntingdon Giving Trees once again spread joy to local children for Christmas 2025 – with deliveries including the Community Nursing Team Huntingdon, Huntingdon Cancer Community Project and The Angels Foundation.
Hannah Housego’s generous £200 donation with a grant from Foresters Finance Group, helped provide gifts to the Holly Ward, Special Care Baby Unit, and Children’s A&E at Hinchingbrooke Hospital.
Sixteen children enjoyed the wonder of the Peterborough Cathedral Christmas Tree Festival — thank you to the cathedral and community for a spectacular display.
SCBU and Holly Ward at Hinchingbrooke Hospital received festive gifts thanks to the Foresters Financial Group’s generosity.
Carol Beck and the Bell Family provided sweat treats for children and their siblings.
Hartford Committee donated an amazing £850!
Dreamdrops Choir spread Christmas Cheer at the Old Nene Golf and Country Club.
Christmas gift donations from Dovista.
Freemasons Socrates Lodge Huntingdon raised £1,000 through their fundraising events.
Hail Weston Monday Night Carol Singers – raised £140
Clover Officer Supplies supported us by recycling inkjet cartridges for fundraising.
St Peters School Huntingdon welcomed Christine Luckham and Pauline Rawlings, who inspired students with insights into volunteering and supporting local charities.

Another amazing year!

Just some of the donations that made a difference in 2025!

Sensory equipment to Winhills Primary Academy.
New sensory resources for Wittering Primary Academy, including a balance ball, pop-up sensory tent, liquid floor tiles, and a giant bean bag cushion.
Coats4Kids 2025, in partnership with the Rotary Club of St Ives – delivering 40 vouchers for families to buy brand-new winter coats, ensuring dignity, choice, and warmth.
A pop-up sensory tent for pupils at Samuel Pepys School, giving them a calming, supportive space.
Special Education Needs Christmas Bowling party – with a special visit from Santa bringing Christmas joy to the children and giving families the chance to enjoy time together.

Dreamdrops celebrates 20 Years!

2025 also marked a truly special milestone – 20 years of Dreamdrops fundraising for local children.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to every supporter, volunteer, organisation, family, fundraiser, school, and friend who made 2025 such an unforgettable year.

Here’s to another year of making dreams come true for children across Huntingdonshire!

Hail Weston – You are Wonderful!

Hail Weston continues to show what a generous and caring community it is. Thanks to the incredible support of residents, their Carol Singing raised an amazing £140!

Events like this highlight just how much Hail Weston does for charity throughout the year, with people coming together time and again to support the charity.

The evening was filled with festive spirit and fun.

A huge well done and thank you to everyone who took part, donated, and helped make the event such a success. Your generosity truly matters.

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