Thanks to our fantastic members, here’s a selection of top tips to help your summer fairs and money earners reach heady fundraising heights.
“We have a summer picnic! It’s BYO food and we have a cash bar, live band, raffle, strawberry stall, football challenge, maypole, bouncy castle and tuck shop to name just a few attractions. We sell trendy wrist bands as entry tickets which the kids all think are super cool!” Janet Jones, St Bridgets School PA, West Kirby.
“Have a new team organise the fair and try different things that haven’t been tried before or for a long time. A fresh approach worked wonders for our summer fair last year!” Vaughn Wiles, Friends of Halsford Park, East Grinstead.
“We incorporated an ‘Around the World Theme’ - different zones of the school were different countries or continents, with activities and games to match the theme! Pupils helped make decorations for each country prior to the event”. Jo Phillips, Westwood First School, PTFA, Leek, Staffordshire
“Get the pupils involved from the planning stage and keep them involved. Our link teacher got every year group to make bunting - each pupil was given a fabric strip and they decorated it, a great way of making visible the concept of being part of a community”. Debbie Allaire, Friends of Wydean Secondary School, Sedbury, Glos.
“We hold a Proms in the Playground involving the school, local community and local bands. Last year we organised a community choir, had the children from the school doing performances and ended the evening with fireworks.” Tracey Evans, Friends of Lingfield Primary School, Middlesbrough
“We use a Green Voucher scheme so parents can purchase Green Flag tickets (green for go - 20p a turn) to stop the Pleeeeease can I and I want I want I want....!” Lynne Martin, Friends of Marham Infant School, Marham, Norfolk.
“We had an ‘at the seaside’ theme for the fete. We had a steam train ride, donkey rides, dunk tank, sandy lucky dip, human fruit machine, go karts and a tea room. Remember to book attractions early!” Jennifer Owen, Windhill Primary School, PFA, Bishops Stortford, Herts.
“Ask businesses to support the event. If possible, hand-deliver the letters. Tell them their company name and prize will be listed in the lead up to the event and on the day - free advertising!!” Helen Wentworth, Friends of the Crescent, Eastleigh, Hampshire.
Don’t forget to risk assess your event. This may sound tedious but could be crucial in the event of an insurance claim. See our online Info sheet at pta.org.uk for guidance.