Date of Canuk family fun day to Southend-on-Sea beach changes to August 10

DIASPORA body the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk) has changed the date of its coach trip to Southend-on-Sea beach to Saturday August 10 in response to requests from its membership.

Initially, the trip had been set for August 3 but has now had to be moved forward by a week because Canuk's executive committee received a lot of calls from member organisations who said they could not make the previous date. In the second-ever such programme of its kind, Canuk has hired two coaches that now will leave from Euston and North Greenwich stations in London at 10am on August 10.

They will travel to Southend-on-Sea beach for the day and then leave at 5pm in the evening. Rose Graham, Canuk's publicity secretary, said that the plan is for everyone to bring their kids for a great day out and then by 5pm, we can call it day, so anyone who has an evening function to attend has time to get ready.

Ms Graham added: "We very much expect this to be a fun day, as it will allow us to enjoy the good weather while it lasts. All payments should be made into the Canuk bank account with account number 00224400 and sort code 301553, with people using their names as a reference."

Toyin Balogun, Canuk's social secretary, said: "We decided on this initiative as part of a plan to get Nigerian families to bond. This will be a unique opportunity for Nigerian families to get together  as we have two coaches, each taking at least 70 people apiece.

"Canuk will partially subsidise the trip a little, so those who are members of our registered associations only have to pay £35 for adults and £15 for young people between the ages of three and 16. It will be free for anyone under three and payment will cover travel, a packed lunch, a snack and a drink."

This event is one of several social programmes Canuk's executive committee has lined up over the rest of the year. Others include a virtual independence day quiz session on October 1 and an end-of-year gala dinner on Saturday December 14.