Bingo is one such obstacle

A ‘drag’ bingo night with the ‘best queen in town’ raised £1,000 for charities Age UK Barnet and Fighting with Pride.

Star of the bingo was a female impersonator known as Manuka Honey who put on a great night of cabaret and jokes as well as calling out the numbers.

One bingo player who enjoyed the cabaret was Kim Murphy, 60, from East Barnet, happy to get away from what was going on in the world.

“Everything was so depressing in the news,” she said. “But this bingo night really cheered me up, best night ever.”

Another player, Leo Gibbons, 63, also from East Barnet, said: “That’s what a charity event should be – to welcome people from all parts of the community.”

The drag bingo was organized at the Ann Owen center in East Finchley as “a spirit of acceptance and inclusion”.

Age UK Barnet day club manager José Galea said afterwards: “We celebrate Pride in our day clubs by being honest and open, listening to people’s needs and supporting their families.”

The charity’s Barnet team now want to make drag bingo an annual event to break down barriers for those who feel they “don’t belong”.