We are an informal and relaxed group of parents who meet regularly to arrange after school events. Our main aim and driving force is to raise funds for the school to enable them to purchase equipment and other items the school budget wouldn’t normally allow. So far this year we paid for the children’s ice creams when they attended the school Christmas Pantomime and we are delighted that we have been able to donate £500 in order for the school to purchase their own portable defibrillator. So the money we raise funds a mixed bag of things!
Although, the main reason The Friends of Ripley runs is to provide extra funds to the school, it’s actually a great way to meet other parents and get involved beyond the school gates. We are always looking for new participants, and all support is always helpful and so gratefully received.
We also organise a variety of events and activities. Some of the events we have organised so far this year have been an end of year disco for all the children, a Christmas fair and a movie night. Each event a brilliant success which the children love and all three events raised a good amount of money.
We frequently hold a second hand uniform sale. One of our members kindly looks after all the uniform, taking in uniform donations and reselling at a bargain price, which is excellent for parents and great for us to raise money, it’s a win win!
We do cake stalls after school, which the children obviously love! We ask parents for cake donations and all proceeds go towards the friends charity.
We have a Facebook group for all parents and carers to join, which is super useful for locating lost property or finding out school trip times, spelling test days and generally connecting with other parents. The link is: www.facebook.com/groups/friendsofripley
We are also really keen to promote our easyfundraising page! It’s a super simple way of donating money to the school and all parents, carers and friends of families can join.
Easyfundraising turns your everyday online shopping into free donations, you shop as you would online and the retailers supporting easyfundraising make a small donation to say ‘thank you’. There are lots of retailers involved including, Sainsbury’s, Argos, M&S, Amazon and many many more! It’s really easy to use, either download the app or shop through www.easyfundraising.org.uk - you can then login and search for our charity Friends of Ripley Endowed School.
