Organisers of the summer fundraiser at Ruddington’s Infant & Nursery School are celebrating its success after more than doubling last year’s total – making it their most successful event to date.
Helped by some glorious weather, Friends of James Peacock School revealed they made just over £3,400 during their Summer Fun Fest – which was held in the school field at Manor Park on Friday 16th June.
The Friends exist to raise money for the school to assist in making it a memorable and positive experience for all its children. A team of parents, carers and staff with big ambitions, they’ve previously helped fund a variety of experiences and trips, as well as outdoor classroom and playground equipment.
As well as the various food stalls and activities at this year’s Fun Fest, there was live music from Mark James and Tides of Orion, performances from K2 Dance, Freedom and Ruddington Belly Dancing, inflatables from Clifton Castle and lawn games courtesy of St Peter’s Junior School.
Raffle prizes came from Nottingham Ice Arena, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Clip ’n’ Climb, Little Wickets, Cherry Lane Garden Centre, Oliver Bonas, Ed & Molly’s, Jo Jo Maman, Ruddington’s Framework Knitters’ Museum and The National Space Centre.
More prizes were also gifted from within the village from Debbie Bryan, The Pet Pantry, The Bottle Top, Jasper’s Cafe (‘Guess the Weight of the Cake’ – pictured left), The White Horse, Split Screen Coffee, Perkins, Benwell Daykin, Love Beauty, Ruby Rae, Pheonix Flowers, The Craft Workshop, Urban Retreat, Artisan Hair, Ruddy Fine Gin, Thomas James, Zing Interiors and Benjamins.
Deputy Headteacher, Miss Hawthorne, said: “It was such a fantastic, well-organised event and I loved seeing so many members of our school and village community coming together and having such a great time!”
Friends’ Chair, Louise Braithwaite, shared a message with the school which read: “I just wanted to say a huge thank you, on behalf of Friends of James Peacock, to all your staff that helped out on Friday! They were a credit to James Peacock School and didn’t go unnoticed by our committee or the community; they were amazing!”
Kimberley Ward agrees: “It was an amazing event and a great show of the supportive community we have here in Ruddington. The buzz in the air was so heartwarming and genuine. The funds raised this year will go towards new IT equipment as well as a leavers’ festival for the Year Two students that are leaving the school this year.”
Friends’ Treasurer, Barbara Breakwell, who totted up the total, says: “Once again THANK YOU to everyone who supported the event. I especially want to thank the staff at Ruddington Post Office for sorting change for our stall floats and then enabling me to bank the takings with them – since our bank in West Bridgford closed down last week!”
Kimberley adds: “We’re always on the lookout for volunteers, whether you have children in school or not. For example, we organise a yearly ‘lend a hand day’ where people can come in and help around the school.”
You can contact Friends of James Peacock School through their Facebook group or via the school office.
Graham Wright via RUDDINGTON.info