Update from Friends of the Lanes - Jan 2026

Thank you to everyone for helping us have a fantastically successful winter term! Our Fireworks event, Christmas Fayre, Wreath Making and discos combined to raise over £9000! This money is sitting safely whilst we work closely with Mr Wilkes and the school to work out how best to spend it - watch this space.

These events and this money can't happen without your support, and a couple of key members of our team will leave at the end of this academic year, which means we need you! 

We have three levels of support needed:

• Core team of (currently) 4 members holding formal roles (Chairs, Treasurer, Secretary)
• Wider committee to support on decision making and organising events 
• Volunteers on an ad hoc basis, which we ask for as each event happens, and have a standing WhatsApp group

The more people we have in 1 & 2, the less commitment is needed from each member. We all have our own jobs and families so the time commitment is as minimal as we can make it whilst still making the PTA a success. 

If you are able to give some time to the committee, or even just be added to the wider volunteer pool, please get in touch at friends@thelanes.notts.sch.uk - we're a nice, friendly group 🙂. Our next meeting is at the Cadland 7.30pm on Monday 26^th January - everyone welcome.

We're starting to make more plans for the rest of this school year, but in the meantime please make sure you have Discos in your diary - Wed 25^th March and Wed 24^th June for Cator Lane and Wed 11^th March & Wed 8^th July for Meadow Lane. The Year 6 Disco will be Mon 20th July.

Thank you!

Who are we?

The Lanes Fundraising Group is made up of parents, carers and school staff who together organise fundraising events to benefit the school and entertain pupils, families and the local community. We meet (on average) a couple of times a term to organise these events and ensure they happen safely and successfully.

The Lanes Fundraising Group is a registered charity (No 518492) and all work done by the group is voluntary, with all the money raised going to the school.

Why join The Lanes Fundraising Group?

Without the support of parents and carers, the fundraising events would fail, the group would cease and the school would not be able to fund the wide range of activities currently available.

What kind of events and activities do we arrange?

• Fireworks night in November – a fantastic double display with hot food on sale
• Discos after school every term – at both sites, always a hit with the children
• Christmas Fayre – with that special festive guest
• Non-uniform days for tombola donations

Pupils and staff get involved in the preparation and running of events. This helps to create a real community feel as well as a sense of achievement for everyone involved.

How to get involved:

As children leave The Lanes, so parents and carers leave the fundraising group and we are always in need of new committee members and volunteers to help run a stall, help out at discos, fold raffle tickets, put up posters and numerous other tasks.

We know that people are very busy – we appreciate your help, whatever time you have available.

• Join the mailing list – Email friends@thelanes.notts.sch.uk and let us know you’d like to join the mailing list. We can keep you up to date with meetings and fundraising plans.
• Help us with new fundraising ideas - by email or catch us at an event, or better still come along to a meeting
• Come to a meeting – school advertise the meetings for us plus you’ll get an email with the date if you’re on our mailing list
• Volunteer at events – always a great way to get involved with the school and have fun

• Keep coming to events and supporting events with donations, bring your family and friends

Ways to get in touch?

Email: friends@thelanes.notts.sch.uk

Let us know if you have any skills/interests that would benefit our fundraising efforts e.g. design, marketing, catering, crafts, links with other groups, admin etc

We look forward to meeting you!