Fundraising News December 2010

As we near the end of a very busy Autumn term I wanted to share with you and pass on our thanks for what has proven to be a fantastic fundraising term. It only seems five minutes ago we were forming the new playgroup committee and here we are, the first term complete!

Changes to government funding over the recent year has resulted in the playgroup being in a far more comfortable financial position than it ever has been before. As such the fundraising efforts by the committee are for the nice to haves rather than the need to haves.

We started the year with a very generous donation of £1525 from the Beach Social Club and we have decided that this will be spent on revamping the outside pergoda area. By weatherproofing this area, it will make the outside more accessible to the children as recommended by Ofsted.

The sponsored Autumn search over the half term holiday, not only provided entertainment for you all, but generated £249.40. This money will be spent on some new bookcases that will enable the children to access the books more easily.

A very busy Nearly New Sale in November generated £509.83, thanks to everybody that helped out and donated cakes to sell on the day. It is anticipated that this money will be used to supplement the Social Clubs donation for work on the outside area.

A large collection of bags to school, 380kg to be exact, generating £152 was taken away in November! The next collection date will be Friday 6th May 2011 – a date for your new diaries so please think of us as you have a clear out!

A stall bearing edible gifts and the ever popular Lucky Lollies game raised £63.23 at the school Christmas Fayre. Thanks again to all of those that donated items and their time helping out on the stall.

An Organised Mum diary order has generated £142.18 – thank you to all those that ordered one – we receive 40% of the orders taken so this is a superb amount to receive back.

A wish list has been drawn up by the staff for new storage units, extra bikes and prams and different craft materials. Reflective vests for outdoor walks and a professional clean of the carpet and craft area are also on the list. Once the outside area work quote is complete, we will be able to spend any spare funds on these items to improve the provision of quality equipment for the playgroup.

It is appreciated by the playgroup committee that not everybody is able to help out by donating their time on stalls or turning their hand to cake baking skills. Having said that there are a number of ways that you could still help the playgroup.

If you shop online, we have a “Buy at” section which can be accessed via the WTP website; where playgroup will receive a percentage of your online shopping sale. It is very easy to do, just access your normal shop website via ours and the playgroup will also benefit. You can even bookmark your favourite shopping pages using our links!

Playgroup are also now recycling mobile phones and empty ink cartridges, so please think of us before throwing them away!

We are occasionally in need of a tradesman to assist with odd jobs. We currently are in need of a plumber (or somebody with plumbing skills) that could replace taps in the kitchen. Please let Wayne know if you know of someone that could help us or that you would recommend.

As you can see it has been a busy term! With lots more planned for next year there will be plenty more opportunities to help out! We hope to repeat the Auction of promises in February, Mothers Day Cake stall selling gifts and flowers on 2nd April and another Nearly New Sale with a bags to school collection to follow!

On a separate note, Waterbeach Community Association is holding a Feast Day Committee meeting on 17th January at 7.30pm in the community room (library). An experienced committee already exists that are crying out for an extra pair of hands to help with the planning and preparing stage and with some new ideas for the day. Please do go along and support them if you think you can help, the future of the Feast in it’s current format depends on it!

On behalf of all the playgroup committee, thank you all once again for your support throughout the term. Thank you to the staff for the tremendous job that they do providing excellent childcare for our children, especially at this busy time of year and we wish you all a Happy Christmas with best wishes for 2011.

Clare Mead
Chair
Waterbeach Toddler Playgroup Committee.

Nearly New Sale

Waterbeach Toddler Playgroup's Biannual Nearly New Sale of quality nursery items, Children's and Adults clothes, toys, books etc. will be held in Waterbeach School Hall on Saturday 13th November between 1pm and 3pm. Please spread the word, contact via the WTP website to register as a seller. Start your Christmas shopping or stock up for those winter wardrobes. Help always gratefully received on the day!

Thank you to the Beach Social Club!

On Saturday evening, Wayne and Clare Mead (our new Chairperson) attended a cheque presentation evening at the Beach Social Club. At their AGM last year, Waterbeach Toddler Playgroup was nominated as their local charity for the year, along with the East Anglia Air Ambulance.

We are very happy to let you know that we received a cheque for £1525.00. We are very grateful for the generosity and support shown by the Social Club staff and regulars. This is a fantastic amount, and we look forward to spending it on further developing the provision that we currently offer the children at Waterbeach Toddler Playgroup.

Welcome

Thankyou everyone who gave their feedback on the WTP website for what things they would like to be added to the site. I am in the process of updating it, and have set up this blog to share WTP News and Events with you all. So you will no longer have an excuse for not coming to the Nearly New Sale or forgetting your Bags 2 School bags! You can subscribe via Feedburner to get new entries emailed directly to you or subscribe via RSS for new entries to appear in your Reader page. Don't forget you can also add our Google Calendar to your calendar reader to quickly find out holiday and event dates (click on the Google icon in the bottom right hand corner of the calendar to do this). Any feedback to Holli (webmaster@waterbeachtoddlerplaygroup.org.uk) would be appreciated!