Page 22 - link magazine

22
NEWS & VIEWS
People in Swindon have shown they first started but response to
great generosity in helping large Making ends meet appeals to businesses are now non-
local charities like the Prospect existent said Pam. Theorganisation
Foundation, the PMH Scanner with training, organising and schools and hospitals whilst the occupies a curious position in
Appeal and Age Concern, as well fundraising. "Comparing our givers are being more choosy about relation to other similar groups. It
as contributing to appeals for income from booking fees and the what they will support. caters for large numbers of young
Romania and Ethiopia. However cost of running the troupe, we still "We're caught in a big dilemma. people but is not recognised by the
the increasing number of well have to find well over ,000 a year We don't want to put up the weekly County Council Youth Service
organised, professionally backed to keep going. Most of the costs are subscriptions paid by the which would allow qualify it for
fundraising operations and the in transport to the events. But youngsters as we want to give all free use of school premises. It's
squeeze on financing the education replacing uniforms and buying children to have the chance to join. also a 'uniformed' group, but does
and health services is forcing the instruments are very costly as well. It gets expensive if a family has two not have the backing of other
smaller, neighbourhood based "Over the last few years it's or three children in the troupe. Nor organisations like the Scouts and
groups into difficulties. certainly been getting more difficult do we want to put up our booking Guides.
One group which not only does to raise what we need. The statutory fees. We're usually booked as an As an entirely voluntary
a great deal of fundraising, but organisations are being starved of attraction by other community organisation Pam and her helpers
also helps other organisations raise cash and we're now competing with organisations who are raising get irritated by some of the mistaken
money is West Swindon's GWR Raising cash with a sponsored obstacle course, left rear, Kim Graham, Joline ideas some people have. "All the
Majorettes. The troupe, which was Court, Lisa Fisher, Helen Dipper, Chantelle Eddy, Stephanie Fisher and Pam adults give their time voluntarily,"
started five years ago, involves 60 Pixton at the back. In the tunnel Natasha Vadgama, Natasha Sherwood and said Pam. "There's practices with
youngsters aged five to sixteen, right front May Midwinter the children once a week and we
mostly girls;a few boys. The winter aim fora least one fundraising event
months are spent practicing their a month which, if they don't go
marching routines, making well, can set us back. There's all the
uniforms and raising money. Most preparation and administration
weekends in the summer sees the that goes on in the background.
Majorettes performing at one or Then in the summer, we'll leave for
two events. In the coming months an event at say 9a.m. and not get
they are booked for many of the home until the evening.
local carnivals and fetes, and will "We're all committed because the
be travelling to Thorpe Park, the children enjoy being part of GWR
Bath & West show, Wellington Majorettes. But I am concerned
Country Park and the American that the adults don't get fed up
Adventure Park in Derbyshire. with spending more and more time
But it's getting tougher to keep fundraising, and being personally
the show of the road according to out of pocket, rather than
coordinator Pam Pixton who with organising the troupe."
a dozen other adults are involved Pam wants to assure children
and parents that GWR Majorettes
LOSE WEIGHT money themselves and there's little is not going to suddenly close down.
point in running the troupe if they However she wanted readers to
QUICKLY AND SAFELY won't book us because our prices learn a little about the valuable
FOR SPRING are too high. Quite often we go to voluntary effort required to keep
Call your Counsellor an event knowing that we're the troupe performing and some of
THE MAGICIAN Glenis at running at a loss." the increasing pressures involved
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• Birthday Parties track suits for the majorettes when group going.
• Fetes
• Playgroups
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