Hallowe’en celebrations started early this year as Beyond Inclusion hosted its second Trunk or Treat event at Bulls Head Car Park.

The event launched by Beyond Inclusion, a community group dedicated to creating social engagement opportunities for those with support needs, was created to offer a fun, safe and accessible trick-or-treat option.

Almost 200 young people visited an array of elaborately decorated car trunks established by a variety of organisations, collecting treats and enjoying themselves.

Rebecca Lawrence and Brianna Ball-Roach, of Beyond Inclusion, said the event had grown significantly since its start last year.

Ms Lawrence said: “Last year, Lindo’s helped us to launch this for the first time. We had 12 or 13 actual trunks with about 80 participants.

“This year we have nearly 30 trunks and 175 participants registered, so we are incredibly grateful to the community and our community partners.

“We are just incredibly appreciative.”

Ms Ball-Roach added: “We have also utilised our sunflower pass, which we have adopted from the UK, which allows individuals to wear sunflower passes to highlight they might have an invisible support need.”

She said she was pleased with the turnout, which included a number of those with and without support needs.

“It’s allowing everybody to get to know each other, get more awareness and get more people involved,” she said.

Organisations taking part in this year’s event were Bermuda is Love, Special Olympics Bermuda, the Human Rights Commission, Solstice, Westmeath Nursing Care Home and more than a dozen others.

Jana Outerbridge, of Mayvera Wellness, decided to adopt the theme of a beehive for this year’s event, wearing a bee costume and handing out black and yellow wrist bands along with treats.

Dr Outerbridge said: “The key for me was all things about the beehive. Be you, be great, be positive, be awesome, be your best self, so it creates an environment where we can all be accepted for who we are no matter what.

“It has been awesome. People have been walking around, enjoying the event, enjoying being here.

“It’s really welcoming and warm for everyone, which is just amazing.”

Beth Hollis, of Ocean Rock Wellness, said it was the second time they had supported the event and were impressed to see how much it had grown.

“I think they are just getting bigger and better every year,” she said. “I think the community is getting hip to it.

“We are bringing some healthy treats called zollipops, which are a nice alternative to regular candy.

“We are happy to be able to support the community and see a lot of familiar faces. We just love seeing how many people came out.”

Laura Kearns, of Carey Olsen’s diversity and inclusion committee, said the company was thrilled to be able to sponsor Beyond Inclusion and take part in the fun.

“We think what they are doing is absolutely phenomenal,” she said. “It is the most beautiful event to be a part of.

“We are having a blast, the kids are obviously having a blast, and it’s nice to support it.”