Fundraising

For many people, fundraising is perceived as a bugbear. Unfortunately for the majority of organisations, fundraising is a necessity in order to survive and function normally.

Ferryfield does not profit from any regular outside funding from other organisations or the Scottish Executive, regardless of its charitable status. The funding we do receive includes milk grants, which cover the cost of buying in milk every week; and grants from Fife Council for every child over the age of 3 eligible for a funded place during normal sessions, which goes towards paying staff salaries.

Other monies coming in include fees for children not yet funded by the Council, and fees for Lunch Club. All other costs for running the playgroup, including rent, electricity and heating bills, play equipment, toys and books, computer software, emotional and physical development aids, staff training courses, stationery, web hosting, etc... must be found from elsewhere.

The playgroup regularly applies to various funding bodies (eg. Lloyd's TSB, Scottish Communities Foundation, Lottery) for specific items, although we cannot request funding for running costs. We thus regularly plan fundraising events to keep our bank account in the black and still be able to pay our bills.

The playgroup committee normally deals with the overall organisation of an event, with help from the Admin. Manager and staff, but we do rely heavily on parental support and involvement to make any event a success. This could take the form of asking friends, family and colleagues for sponsorship, helping to man a stall, donating goods for raffles, and selling tickets.

Previous efforts have included sponsored nursery rhyme recitals, a sponsored 70's day, Ladies' Nights, coffee mornings, Summer Fete, filling Smarties tubes, guess the number in the jar, ceilidhs... We have tried just about everything imaginable. Suggestions are always welcomed, and parents/carers are encouraged to run their own fundraising efforts at home (eg. sponsored swim).

Fundraising made easy

Two easy ways to raise funds with very little effort include:

Easyfundraising.org.uk : easyfundraising is a free service which can help raise hundreds of pounds for the playgroup - simply by shopping online. Browse their website to find the store you normally shop with - click on the icon - and then shop as normal. It's that easy. Stores that are taking part include Tesco, WH Smith, Next, Wallis, Amazon, ebay, the list goes on.

Charity Flowers UK : Need to send flowers to someone? Take a look at the great and affordable selection at Charity Flowers UK. During checkout choose Ferryfield as your charity of choice, and we will automatically receive a donation, at no extra cost to you.