Organisers of this year’s Oatlands Community Gala Fun Day have pledged to ‘raise the roof’ at this year’s event, which takes place on Saturday 7 June 2014 1.00-4.30 pm on Oatlands Playing Field, Hookstone Road, Harrogate.
All proceeds from this family day out will go towards the organisers’ target of raising £25,000 to replace Oatlands Community Centre’s ageing roof.
The Community Centre is housed in the former Oatlands Methodist Church on Mount Street, Harrogate and has undergone extensive renovation work over the past two years, including the provision of wheelchair access, replacement flooring and lighting, as well as the installation of a new kitchen. The newly refurbished building is used by Oatlands Pre-School children during the day and is the venue for coffee mornings and other community events outside school hours. However, the past winter’s wet and windy weather has highlighted just how urgently the roof needs replacing, hence the Centre’s ‘Raise the Roof’ fundraising campaign.
It is hoped that the Gala, now in its eighth year, will make a significant contribution towards the £25,000 required for a new roof. According to Vic Smith-Dunn, one of the Gala’s founder members, the Gala will offer; “something for all the family, regardless of their age.”
The line-up of entertainment will include children’s races, live acts, stalls and home-made produce, as well as a much-anticipated children’s contest which, in previous years, has included fancy dress parades and ‘Flufts’ cuddly toy show.
To help achieve their fundraising target, the organisers are now appealing to the local community to become involved with the event.
Vic Smith-Dunn explained: It has always been our intention for the Community Centre to be at the heart of the Oatlands community. The centre will shortly be open to everybody so it would be fantastic if local people could help us raise the money we desperately need to replace the roof.
Volunteers are required to help to run stalls, sell raffle tickets, set up the Gala on the day, as well as donate items for sale and any unwanted plastic garden furniture.
It doesn’t matter how much or how little time you can offer, your help will make a difference. Please do consider coming on board to our friendly team to improve this community facility.
Anyone interested in volunteering for the Oatlands Gala Fun Day, or businesses willing to donate prizes, should contact Vic Smith-Dunn on 07970 521495 or vic@smith-dunn.co.uk.
Further details about volunteering opportunities can be found at www.oatlandsgala.co.uk
