Sadiq recently joined hundreds of local residents at the Balham and Tooting Community Association Midsummer Fun Day in Broadwater Road, which was jointly organised by the Balham and Tooting Community Association, Gatton Muslim primary school, Fircroft Primary School and St Augustine’s church.

The event brought together crowds from all sides of the community for a day of enjoyment in summer sunshine, and managed to raise over £4600 was raised for rehabilitation equipment at St George’s hospital.

Highlights included the ‘Trashcatchers’ Parade’ when children processed round the site wearing hats and costumes they’d created from waste and junk. The arrival of the ambulance pulled by a team of policemen, firemen and ambulance men from St George’s Hospital was a spectacular moment. Dozens enjoyed free health checks and advice from the NHS Wandsworth outreach team. Delicious Afro-Caribbean, Arab, Indian & Pakistani and Somali food was a great draw, together with freshly made smoothies.

Sadiq Khan, MP for Tooting, said:

“This year’s Midsummer Fun Day was even better than last year’s. I’ve never seen in one place so many smiling, happy faces – the best of Tooting was on show at this BATCA event. All the volunteers and people who’ve made this possible deserve the appreciation of the wider community for bringing us together.”

Dr Richard Cheetham, Bishop of Kingston said:

“This is a superb example of community cooperation. It’s very encouraging to see the church and schools working together with the local community”.