School proud of fun fund-raisers

Photo: Picture: ANTHONY MILLER

MEMBERS of the PTFA (from the left) Jackie Dalzell, Joanne White, Lindsey Taylor, Suzanne Hall, Nick Parkin, Gill Kilgour and Hazel Howarth with pupils Joseph Taylor and Eve Johnson-Jones

OVER the past year they have organised everything from ice-skating to camp-outs and chocolate bingo to pancake tossing.

And the efforts of the Parent, Teacher and Friends’ Association at St Mary’s Primary in Greenfield have been rewarded with a Pride in Oldham Award nomination.

Members of the 20-strong group give up hours of their time each week to devise ways of raising funds to buy equipment, trips and books for pupils.

This year they have raised £15,300 which will go towards new bikes, maths equipment, books, laptops, digital cameras and a polytunnel for the school’s gardening project. Head teacher Helen Rowland said: “The PTFA is one of the strengths of our school and provides a valuable social and financial contribution.

“Every year they organise a wealth of events such as discos, wine tasting, ice-skating, chocolate bingo and camping, which brings families and children together and raises much- needed funds for the school.

“Every member of the PTFA gives their time voluntarily and spends hours planning, preparing and hosting events. They work tirelessly and enthusiastically and their commitment to fund-raising while having fun is amazing.

“We are so proud of our PTFA and all they do for us and think they thoroughly deserve this award nomination.”

PTFA chair Gill Kilgour, who has been a member for nine years and has a child at the school, said: “We are delighted to be nominated for a Pride in Oldham Award.

“We would do what we do anyway but to be recognised for doing it is lovely. We feel our efforts have been really appreciated.”