'Grown from a small idea': Hundreds support community sing-along in Rise Park

Earlier this month, keen singer Gary Cook and his wife Louise mooted an idea for a festive sing-along in their Rise Park garden in aid of Cancer Research UK.

From September 2019 to February 2020, Gary had been treated at Queen's Hospital for an aggressive nasal cancer which pushed on his left eye and threatened his sight.

The then-36-year-old pubs-and-clubs singer spent five weeks in hospital and underwent seven chemotherapy and 35 radiotherapy sessions to get rid of the tumour.

He said the diagnosis "broke his world": "It was touch and go if I would lose my sight in my eye and it was weird because I didn’t care about my eye - I just wanted to get rid of the cancer.

"I've got two little boys."

Gary Cook was treated for nasal cancer (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Gary and Louise could tell their sons - six-year-old Clark and Kyle, five - that their father had the all-clear in June 2020.

Neighbours jumped to help organise the charity event this year, and with only about a week to spare, set about spreading the word.

In the end, with half of Helmsdale Close shut to traffic, hundreds of people went to the Cook family's garden on December 23 and raised more than £2,500 for the charity.

There were hundreds of people at the event in Rise Park (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Neighbour David Game, who is one of the organising group, said: "It was excellent.

"We are all on cloud nine because of the weather and everyone’s support on the day."

He said many people contributed to the event, such as donating electricity for decorations.

The decorated house in Helmsdale Close (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Alongside Gary's performance, there was a snow machine, takeaway pizza and a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses such as Maylands Golf Club, Romford Greyhound Stadium, Marsh Farm, Hopefield Animal Sanctuary and Crazy Strawberry Cakes.

Organisers Laura Hearn and Louise Collier with some of the raffle prizes (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Hazel Hathaway, who won a new bike in the Rise Park event's raffle (Image: Sandra Rowse)

One prize was won by Arthur Dee, a 99-year-old war veteran from Harold Hill.

World War Two bomb disposal expert Arthur won a prize in the Rise Park event's raffle. Left to right back: Olivia Game, 10; Arthur Dee, 99; Pam Dee, 73. Left to right front: Ava Game, five; Amelia Game, seven; Alex Game, eight. (Image: David Game)

Louise added: "It brought some festive spirit, it brought the community together.

"We have had so many knocks on the door saying thank you so much. I found it overwhelming - the number of people who turned up."

The Allen family enjoying the Rise Park event (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Thea Hallowell, nine, and Reuben Hallowell, seven (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Gary added: "It was from something that was such a small idea that has grown."

Gary, Louise, David and other neighbours who helped to organise the event, such as Louise Collier, Laura Hearn, Selina Navarro, Luis Andres Navarro and Prett Makwana, are "buzzing" to host a bigger and better event again next year, David said.

Linda Smith at the hot drinks stall at the event (Image: Sandra Rowse)

David Game with his children Alex, eight, and Ava, five. (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Donate at https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/garys-giving-page-438