Fundraising group plans Easter boost to summer days out plan

Goldthorpe Parent & Toddler group is determined to raise enough money to allow members to go on a summer outing without having to pay full price. The group, which meets twice a week during term-time at Goldthorpe Pentecostal Community Church, is planning to go to Flamingo Land in North Yorkshire in July.

And because many parents have older children as well who must pay the same price as adults, they are raising funds so that no one individual has to pay more than £10 for entry to the theme park — compared to the actual price of £34 per person aged four or above.

A coffee morning is being held at the church from 10am to noon on Saturday, featuring home baking, a table top sale, bottle bag sale, raffle and Easter egg hunt.

Group leader Julie Turner said: “We applied for funding for the trip, but were turned down, so we explained to parents that if we want to do this trip, we need to raise about £25 per person, which seemed very daunting

“Parents and grandparents have been just amazing.

“One lady did a sponsored walk to Barnsley with her daughter and granddaughters and has raised £300 for the trip, while a group of parents are doing a Sponsored Toddle on May 13 from one park to another to raise money.

“Their enthusiasm, commitment and ideas have been really inspiring.

“We’ve had so much support from the community, with people donating bottles, items to sell and raffle prizes.

“We really hope people will turn out to support the event as there's lots to buy and win.”

The Snap Tin Café held its own raffle for the group, raising £50 towards the trip, and the Parent & Toddler group itself has raised almost £200 from its own Easter raffle.