A FUND-RAISING group which has raised thousands of pounds for The Chase school and its pupils, is in danger of folding due to a lack of support.

The parent-run Chase Association, which holds its annual Christmas Fair on Friday, December 10, says this could be the last one if more parents do not get involved.

The association holds a Christmas Fair and Summer Fair each year and raises about £5,000 annually. The money is donated to the school to purchase a wide range of equipment from sports items and books to equipment for the science and music departments.

It also supports individual pupils who can apply for bursaries of around £100 to help fund their out of school activities and clubs, such as music, drama, football or scouting. In the last 12 months the association donated £9,600 in bursary payments to pupils.

Committe member Jill Mackenzie said that the money raised by the association may become even more important in the next few years because of the impact of government spending cuts.

“This would be a really bad time to lose the association,” she said.

Last year’s Christmas fair raised £2,225, the summer fair raised £2,160, a disco for pupils raised £628 and donations from parents raised a further £1,600.

The association has charitable status and would have to be wound up next year if new parents do not get involved and new committee members are not found.

Head teacher Kevin Peck said:‘The Chase Association has long provided valuable moral and material support for the school and, as we move into more difficult financial times, the Association’s efforts will become even more important to us.”

He said the Christmas Fair was a fun community event which raised several thousand pounds to support the school’s work and urged people to support it.

The Christmas Fair is on Friday evening from 6-8pm. There will be a Christmas tree donated by Graham Budd, of Little Monksfield Farm, Newland, and decorated by the art department, for sale. The fair will have a wide range of stalls selling books, toys, CDs and DVDs, toiletries, Christmas gift items, sweets and chocolates, games and refreshments. Everyone is welcome.

Any parent who would like to find out more and get involved can contact the association by leaving a note at the school reception or by emailing chaseassoc@chase.worcs.sch.uk.