Prime Minister backs the Big Sunday

In a letter to Sir Robin Wales, chair of Newham Civic Partnership, which is hosting the event, Mr Blair said: “The Big Sunday is an excellent idea as it gives the people of Newham the opportunity to find out just how the Olympics will help transform the borough and what they can do to help the Games be a success.

“Best wishes for a great day.”

The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games-themed day, on February 5, is designed to inspire Newham residents to join in with the international sports competition.

Newham Civic Partnership wants to let them know how they can make the most of this golden opportunity by contributing to the community and the Games as an athlete, volunteer, employee or enthusiastic spectator and what they, as a whole, will get in return.

As part of that The Big Sunday will have seven zones with different themes – future, youth, community, employment and training, safety, health and environment.

Youth Zone
• West Ham United FC player makeover
•Chill-out zone
•Diary room
•Dance and performance
•Choice FM

Community Zone
•Fashion show
• Sports displays
• Kids zone
• The Newham Mag
• Theatre Royal Stratford East

Safety Zone
• A walk on the wild side
• Crime prevention through the ages
• Safer neighbourhoods
• Police displays
• Gangs and guns film short

Health Zone
• Free MOTs for men over 50
• Stop smoking
• The birthing experience
• Diabetes cookbook preview
• Newham Fit Club

Employment and Training Zone
• CV help
• Starting a business
• Job vacancies
• Newham Sixth Form College
• Career opportunities

Future Zone
• Olympic Village map
• Schoolchildren’s Olympic mural
• Canning Town regeneration
• DLR
• City Airport

Environment Zone
• Street rubbish horror display
• Anti-litter games
• Road safety quiz
• Chewing gum wraps
• Bird mask making

Civic Partnership chairman Sir Robin Wales said: “Each of the zones will be an exciting and eye-opening look at Newham.

“And The Big Sunday experience will not stop there. The main stage will be packed with entertainment, including Liberty X, Brenda and Chico from ITV’s X Factor,

borough cheerleaders Ascension Eagles, Luis Lema Salsa band, Dhol Academy drummers and Little Ilford’s Young and Gifted Choir.

“There will be something for everyone to make it a truly historical and memorable day.”

Contributions will also come from Olympian Tessa Sanderson CBE, film star Colin Salmon, Lord Sebastian Coe, former England and West Ham United footballer Sir Trevor Brooking and DJ Vix.

An attempt will also be made to set the world record for the biggest ballroom dancing lesson, led by Strictly Come Dancing contestants Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag.

The Big Sunday will be held at ExCeL, Royal Docks, between 10.30am and 5.30pm. Free buses will be laid on.

For more information telephone

020 8430 2000 or visit www.newham.gov.uk.

We urge our readers in Newham to participate in this big Sunday event.

Register your whole family now.
See you there.