Parents from a Sully Playgroup are to hold their Christmas Market for the second year running, in the hopes of raising funds for new resources and practices. 

In a bid to help financially support Jubilee Playgroup, situated at Smithies Avenue, parents are asking for local businesses to participate in the online event, which started during the pandemic. Laura Hanks, a member of the committee and parent, said: “Jubilee Playgroup was established in the early 1980’s and remains at the heart of the community. Jubilee is a charity offering affordable childcare for pre-schoolers from age 2. Parents and carers, and children talk fondly about their time with Jubilee, thanks to the warm and skilled staff. For me as a parent, it was the first place I really meet other parents of children the same age, in our village.”

Like many others, the pandemic affected the playgroup financially, with members of the Jubilee quickly realising they needed new equipment once reopening. Laura added: “Every penny is carefully accounted for to ensure children have the best opportunities to play and learn at Jubilee. During the pandemic, like many other settings, the playgroup was forced to close and upon reopening needed new resources and practices. Assigning children into ‘bubbles’ meant separating the toys, providing child-friendly ‘barriers’ and the staff working hard to maintain the safety of the children as they adjusted to their new surroundings.” 

“This is where the market came in! Whilst the playgroup was financially stable, we as parents wanted to do a little more, and to run a virtual fundraiser specifically for new resources for the children. We are so grateful to the staff for the vibrant curriculum they provide, carefully planning out play activities with learning outcomes. We want to support this!”

Explaining more about the market, she added: “The market is now in its second year! Local businesses are signing up to hold stalls and they fill an album with their products, for £5. Every penny of this goes to the playgroup. It’s free to join for shoppers. Members of the market can browse the albums just as you would in a real market – Christmas Market shopping from the comfort of your own home! To help things along, stall holders post onto the discussion feed about their products to tell us more. Anything you want to buy, you simply message the stall holder.

“We’ll also be running a raffle, just as we did last year. We are so grateful that the raffle last year was supported by so many local businesses that it was such a success! We begin organising the raffle in November for a draw in December.”

“Our community can help by joining the Facebook group and inviting family and friends to join too. If you know a business who might like a stall, please pass on the details! Look out for the raffle too, this will be an online draw, separately from Facebook.”

Last year saw £400 raised at the market, something that Sue Davis, who runs the playgroup, was blown away by. This year has already seen 15 stalls sign up, with local businesses eager to support in any way they can.

If you’re interested in joining the event, or signing up to hold a stall, click here.