June 4, 2018.

Seriously ill children and their families are set to benefit from Rays of Sunshine thanks to staff at Clacton Pier.

The Pier is to host two groups of children on July 1 and July 8 and give them a time to remember with unlimited access to rides, go-karting, a visit to the Seaquarium and many other activities.

It will be the third year that this event has been staged and the previous two proved a huge success.

Pier bosses have a special partnership with Rays of Sunshine, a children’s charity that brightens the lives of seriously ill children aged three to 18 by granting wishes, working with children’s hospitals and hospices to host activity days, granting Hospital Ward Wishes and organising large-scale events.

The profits from one of the arcade machines are also all donated to the charity to help boost their funds.

Pier Director Elliot Ball said it is all part of the Pier’s efforts to give something back to the wider community and this is a very special cause.

“These children are all having treatment for serious or life-limiting illnesses and I would like to see other businesses do what they can to support this incredibly worthwhile charity which has come to mean a lot to us at the Pier,” he said.

“I am sure there are many other firms and companies who could put something together to bring some fun to the lives of the children and their families.”

“Our staff get very involved on the day, have a fantastic time and get a great deal out of it themselves. It is very rewarding when you see all the smiles on faces.

“It is also about us helping to raise awareness for Rays of Sunshine, which is supported by a number of celebrity ambassadors such as Olly Murs.”