Budget cuts forces school PTA to launch Birchanger 10k
BUDGET cuts have forced a school PTA into dreaming up a radical fundraising idea – and it has brought the community together.
Birchanger Primary School headteacher Shirley Warbrick is “determined that the children should not suffer from reduced funding” and has set a goal for the PTA to help raise enough money to provide each child in the school with a computer notebook. These will replace the existing ageing computer suite and release space for a much needed expansion of the school library.
A lack of central funding is making these goals harder to reach and has seen the school’s parent committee look at new ways to find cash – that in turn has seen the launch of the first ever Birchanger 10k, to be held on Sunday.
Mrs Warbrick said: “Headteachers are more reliant than ever on additional contributions made from PTA fundraising.
“The challenge has lead the PTA to look at new fundraising ideas and as a result sees the launch of the first ever Birchanger 10k.
“The race has pulled all elements of the Birchanger community together.”
Indeed, the church will be providing refreshments at the village hall for competitors and spectators. The social club will be extending a special licence to invite non-members through its doors on the day, the nursery will be providing a bouncy castle, the Three Willows Pub has provided a prize of a slap-up meal for the race winner, and local scouts will be helping to marshal the course.
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Grange Paddocks will be offering all participants free days passes to the gym and is providing membership prizes for the runners up.
Phil Elms, who has two children at the school, is a regular competitor in iron man competitions and is co-ordinating the event which hopes to attract runners and novices alike.
The course is designed to incorporate two 5km laps of the area, so there is plenty of opportunity to see and cheer on the competitors.
There is also a children’s one mile fun run to offer a competitive and fun day out for all the family. Medals will be dished out for everyone who takes part.
To find out more e-mail birchangerpta@hotmail.co.uk or to enter go to entrycentral.com
