Family fun days raise awareness

Family fun days with life-sized interactive games raise awareness on the importance of healthy eating and the signs and symptoms of cancer

A weekend of family fun days is taking place on 6-7 April in Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, offering people the opportunity to learn more about their bodies, squeeze through a giant inflatable Big Bum and jump into life-sized educational arcade games as part of a health awareness initiative.

Big C Cancer Charity is working collaboratively with Freshly Greated arts organisation and Great Yarmouth born designer and artist Matthew Harrison on this educational event which includes a life-sized interactive game zone for all ages, inspired by classic arcade games.

Big C’s Big Bum will provide the opportunity for visitors to take a cheeky look inside the large bowel and learn about the fascinating human body, and the support team will be on hand to answer any questions.

There will be other special activities designed for children to increase their awareness of the human anatomy with the Endoscopy Services Team at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and learn more on the importance of keeping active and eating well, with a smoothie bike for people to make their own fruit smoothies.

Two members of staff from the Endoscopy team at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital standing by a table of activities

Matthew Harrison, creator of The Actual Reality Arcade has developed the games which include Pac Man, Whack a Mole, Lazer run and Space Invaders, linking them to raising awareness on prevention, signs and symptoms, support and treatment of cancer.

Someone going through a Laser Run game crossing through ropes

The events which will take place at St Mary Magdalene Church, Gorleston-on-Sea on Saturday 6 April and Cobholm Primary Academy in Great Yarmouth on Sunday 7 April from 10am until 2pm, are being held in memory of Bob Adcock, well known and respected local resident and shop keeper on the Cobholm Estate, who sadly died of cancer in 2023.

Freshly Greated works with local people to create fun, exciting, and creative experiences in and around Great Yarmouth, funded by Arts Council England and led by the local community with their lead organisation Voluntary Norfolk.

Karen Jeremiah, Programme Director at Freshly Greated said “We are really keen to support the work of Big C and host events that are both informative and fun for these communities. The range of activities on offer will mean all local people can take part in a really interactive and engaging way.”

Cath Watts, Nutritionist and Health Academy Lead said “We are so excited to be working with Freshly Greated and Matthew Harrison on these events and have had so much fun planning them together! We very much hope that this fresh initiative really helps people understand the importance of looking after themselves understanding the signs and symptoms of cancer and knowing what to do if something doesn’t seem right.”

Find out more about Big C’s Health Academy