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Blackpool Tower will shimmer and shine in orange on Thursday, to mark the 15th anniversary of the Happy House .
The Happy House was the dream of former Blackpool hoteliers Sue and Dave Hayward, who sold their small hotel in North Shore in 2010 to move to Kenya where the charity Sue founded, Children of Watamu, opened a children’s home – a family home for children in need.
What began as Sue’s vision has grown into a family for children of whom have been orphaned, neglected, abandoned or who suffer from the dire effects of poverty.
Though many are not related by blood, they are bound by love and belonging.
Sue, a former Lancashire Woman of the Year in honour of her work to improve young lives in Kenya, devoted the last 21 years of her life to working in Watamu, a town on the Indian Ocean coast, where she first encountered the impact of disease, extreme poverty and neglect on children and family life.
Trustee Lewis Hall said the Tower’s illumination is more than just a landmark turning orange: “When the Tower glows, it is a beacon reminding us that every child deserves a childhood – to be safe, to learn, and to thrive, whether that’s in Kenya, in Blackpool, or anywhere in the world.”
This special lighting also falls on what would have been the birthday of Sue, affectionately known as Mama Sue, whose courage and compassion built and shaped the Happy House. She died suddenly in Kenya in 2021.
Her husband, Papa Dave, remains in Kenya heading the day to day running of Happy House alongside a management team and dedicated charity trustees.
Sue was remarkable,” said UK coordinator Elizabeth Gomm. “She and Dave gave up everything in Blackpool to dedicate their lives to children who had nowhere else to turn. Her love and legacy continue to shine through the Happy House and the children it serves. That the tower should shine out in our charity’s signature colour, which happens also to be that of our resort’s much loved football club, seems apt.
On the 16th it will be shine as a beacon of hope for children in need.”
“Sue built her charity from Blackpool, winning support and friendship of many local people, and supports now extends across the world.
We are small charity that depends entirely on the generosity of others,” added Elizabeth, a retired journalist, who started working with Sue after interviewing her for a Gazette feature in 2007.
To bring the celebration back to Blackpool, children at the Happy House have written letters to every primary school in the town.
Despite frequent power cuts, they finished them under the glow of a single solar lamp. The pages are filled with joy and excitement at the thought of building friendships with children on the other side of the world. The Happy House, which was built with immense support from individuals and organisations throughout Lancashire, relies entirely on donations which provides for all the needs of the 50+ children currently living at the Happy House plust heir quality education in the school built by the charity.
For just £20 a month, less than the cost of a takeaway, sponsors can change a child’s life, giving them food, clothing, education and the love of a family. To find out more, read the children’s story, or sponsor a child, visit: www.childrenofwatamu.org/blackpooltower
