Diss Mums say thanks as Diss Infants School Christmas fair raises record sums

Two mums have thanked the community for its support after a Christmas fair they organised raised record sums.

Rachel Smith and Paula Jolly organised the fair at Diss Infants School on November 30.

They both became the first parent members of the school’s parent teachers’ association for over a year, in September, and wanted to make an impact.

With just weeks to go, they set about enlisting the support of shops, businesses and parents and, through raffles and donations, the fair raised a record £1,156 for school funds.

“I can’t thank everyone enough. They were amazing,” said Rachel.

“We took a couple of trips around town asking if people would help and shops and businesses were only too happy to donate items.

“Other parents were great too and we were are able to put together nine wonderful hampers as raffle prizes.

“We also had stalls on the day as well as a tombola and activities.”

Businesses who helped included A N Jolly Building Services, Poundland, Poundstretcher, CJ Barker butchers, Tesco, The Park Hotel, The Greyhound, The Corn Hall, Heywood Health and Fitness, Weavers wine bar, Happy Palace Chinese restaurant, Magenta hair studio, Costa coffee and Julian Peachment artist and engraver. The infants school also had a visit from Santa with Elite Photo taking festive snaps in his grotto.

“Around 80 children were able to see Santa and Jordan Coleman paid for everyone’s photos,” added Rachel.

“Shops and businesses donated everything from tea and coffee to vouchers and free memberships. I have lived in Diss all my life and it was lovely that so many people were willing to help out.

“Paula and I only became members of the PTA recently and we hadn’t even had our first annual meeting, but we wanted to do our best and, with just three weeks to organise the fair, we were daunted but then thought: ‘ok, let’s just go for it’.”

The school’s previous fundraising record was around £700.