[ParentsforPlay]

Yes I do.

The Advertiser are actually doing an article on the premises I would love (about how it's not been used in years ) and about the fact that I have been trying to get it. They rang me this morning but they caught me off guard and I was too busy trying not to get myself in hot water (with the council) over it that I didn't even think of this.

Sarah

[ParentsforPlay]

I've had my first donation and I've not even asked anyone yet

Am so chuffed. Now just another few thousand to go.

Sarah

[Fuzzy]

Way to go!!

[ParentsforPlay]

Right then. This is the first email I am going to send out to the local movers and shakers. Please feel free to rip it apart but you are not allowed to say I am barking for trying to raise the money this way as I already know that.

Parents for Play need your help!

Parents for Play is project to provide and maintain a adventure/soft play centre based in Hollinwood, Oldham which will be a social enterprise.

The centre will be devoted to the physical, health and well being, and social development of children. We will offer play sessions for children over 6mths to approximately 12 years of age. The play sessions will improve the health of children in the area through exercise, while reinforcing good social skills in a group play environment.

The centre will also feature a healthy eating café which will again improve the health and well being of children and will be a place where parents can socialise.

Parents for Play will offer the use of a multi-sensory room for children from all over Oldham and beyond to use. Sensory rooms can make a real difference to the quality of life of a child with disabilities, special needs, autism and mental health issues. We will offer play sessions to support groups and to children with particular disabilities. We are also aiming to have a new type of adventure play equipment that will shortly be available that is sensory aswell.
We are currently entering a lottery bid aiming at obtaining premises and our set up and running costs for our first year. Ideally we need our own premises but we have been very kindly offered a base at Limeside Primary school should the bid be unsuccessful at this time.

However we need to find the money for the purchase of the play equipment aswell and have decided to ask the people of Oldham to help us raise the money needed for this.

So we are shortly going to be launching a major fundraising campaign to try and raise the money needed - £30,000!

We are going to be asking as many Oldhamers as we can reach to donate £1 to the campaign. We will be also be asking companies for donations as well particularly for in kind donations to help with the campaign such as photocopying leaflets, printing flyers etc.

To make the campaign a success we are going to need all the help we can get particually from the Hollinwood community.

We need the campaign to feature in as many newletters as we can, we need schools to get involved, community groups, churches, nurseries and playgroups etc we will also be contacting the local newspapers.

Donations can be made on line at our website (www.parentsforplay.org.uk) and cheques can be sent but we need people to help physically collect as well. We will be issuing regular updates on how the campaign is going.

Please contact me if you can help or offer and help, advice or suggestions.

Also please forward this email to anyone you think may be able to help.

Sarah

[ParentsforPlay]

Just ignore me then. See if I care.

Sarah

[boxby]

Originally Posted by ParentsforPlay

Morning all,

Now don't all faint but I have actually visited an accountant!

I am splitting the funding I need into two and applying to funders for the set up and running costs for the first year. For the actual play equipment I am thinking of a launching a major campaign to try and raise the money for that from the community. Basically trying to persuade as many local people as possible to donate a £1. I would try and get some press coverage, get the schools, community groups and everybody else I can think of involved.

What do you all think non-starter or go-er

Sarah

Girvan raised thousands of pounds simply by doorstep knocking, to raise money for the lottery bid to fund a Bird Reserve centre on the Ailsa Craig. Very few people will say no to a £ at the door. Partic if you have some cute looking kids doing it too.

Also buckets in shops, and bag packing at Asda.

You do need a license from the council though, which i think covers you for this for a week at a time.

(And I am still working on your figures, it just that time is short at present!)

[pvcprinting]

Sarah,

Seems ok and covers all the bases.......
where is this going? If it is going to big hitters where is your offer for advertising if a donation of X is given?

I am sure a BIG firm would love the idea of being involved and if it is a nice big banner saying brought to you in association with 'Blah' caring for your community

Regards

Pete

[ParentsforPlay]

Thanks Sandra

I did speak to the council to see if I needed any kind of licence and they said no unless I am doing raffles or something like that

Don't worry about my figures the community accounting team are helping me but being able to afford wages is the tricky bit. I'll email over the latest stuff in case you get chance to glance over them.

Sarah

[ParentsforPlay]

Pete,

I was just going to send that to community type leaders

Mainly to try and get them to help promote their camping to their groups etc

Sarah

[Beneddie1112]

Why not approach local schools? They could host a non-uniform day for a donation of £1 from all the pupils in exchange for not wearing uniform, most schools have 100+ students easily and could be some easy revenue,

Ben