Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is a bit expensive for a fundraiser?

41 replies

Nerdybeethoven · 15/06/2018 14:51

My children are involved in a local music service. It's absolutely fantastic - they play in bands, sing in choirs, all run by amazing teachers. The people running the service work extremely hard and are lovely people. I know how much they struggle to keep everything afloat, with lots of cuts to their funding etc. They have my admiration and support. HOWEVER, they've just announced details of a garden party they're having in a couple of weeks time. First time they've done it but they're looking for new ways to raise money so that they can keep the cost of various activities (like their summer music tours) down. Garden party will be BBQ, stalls (asking for donations for raffles / prizes etc) and the different kids' groups will perform music. Nice end of term activity and chance for kids and grown-ups to admire and socialise. But it's a fixed ticket price of £10 for adults and £4 for participants (ie the kids that are performing have to pay too). This includes a hot dog and a soft drink but even so ….. For our family that's £28. I want to be supportive but I'm actually quite perturbed. I think it would be fairer if they charged a small entry fee (£2/£3 each) and then charged for the food and refreshments. Maybe they think we're all so middle class we can afford it but, frankly, we're very squeezed. We scrimp and save and go without other luxuries so that we can afford music lessons and instruments (which we budget carefully for) and then find ourselves paying half a week's food budget to hear them play and eat a hot dog. What's more, we'll be forking out another £20-£25 or so at least the previous weekend to see them perform in a more formal concert (I realise that a lot of this ticket entry just covers the costs as it's in a church and they have to pay rental, and for the teachers' time and services). Whilst I know there are a lot of well-off families involved, I'm sure there are many like us, or worse off. Just seems a shame. It's also come at end of term when there are various school trips, school concerts (some free, some paid tickets) etc etc and I'm feeling the pinch.

OP posts:
hmcAsWas · 15/06/2018 14:54

Hmm - I certainly think they shouldn't charge the children who are participating.

happytobemrsg · 15/06/2018 14:54

I may be in the minority but it doesn't sound too expensive to me, especially as includes food & a drink

GrannyGrissle · 15/06/2018 14:54

If you can't afford it you don' t go. Sounds like you attend plenty of their concerts. I'd just suck up the £4 'entry fee' for the children as they atleast get fed for that.

checkingforballoons · 15/06/2018 14:58

It doesn’t sound a lot to me for what it is either, but appreciate everyone has different budgets. Would you feel awkward asking if you could pay for your tickets in instalments, half one month, half the next? I’m sure they’d be understanding.

Original poster
Nerdybeethoven · 15/06/2018 14:58

I rather think the food will be a disappointment and not exactly worth the money (although I'd be happy to be wrong!). I'd rather it were like school summer fayres where you pay a couple of quid to get in and then you can buy what you want. I do realise that probably takes a lot more planning and organisation though. I suppose I could just wave the kids off to do their bit, and not go in ourselves, but that looks a bit mean. Maybe I should stop the pursuits I can't afford to keep up with! Certainly have to at least send the kids (£8) as they enjoy it, and that's the whole point of the activities in the first place.

OP posts:
hmcAsWas · 15/06/2018 14:59

Its not a lot of money to me either but you have to use your imagination and reflect what it might be like for others!

AjasLipstick · 15/06/2018 15:00

Could just one adult go?

Bettyfood · 15/06/2018 15:01

YANBU. It's too much. Our school fete is about £4 for adults and is free for children, which sounds quite similar to the party they are planning.

SleepingStandingUp · 15/06/2018 15:02

It seems odd to charge so much on the door tbh, it will reduce what people spend inside.
It isn't a chimney, it's a summer fayre with a MIT of entertainment and a voucher for a likely a standard burger and can of pop. I suspect they'll not be as busy as they hope

Mountainsoutofmolehills · 15/06/2018 15:03

I don't think it's a lot, but your points are valid. It maybe OP that you shouldn't go....... Don't spend what you can't. The idea is to raise money. Why not say, I can't afford for us all to come, but I can buy some raffle tickets. That way, it's clear. You are doing adquately as a parent op.. so there is no reason to feel obliged.

GahWhatever · 15/06/2018 15:04

Nerdy: offer to man one of the stalls. You can help them fundraise by giving time instead of money. Talk to the Head of Centre.

hmcAsWas · 15/06/2018 15:05

I agree with the principle that the food shouldn't be included in the ticket price - this helps those on a tight budget but also provides choice; not everyone wants a hot dog (vegetarians for starters). The organisers would still do well with their fundraising objective since many people would still choose to buy the food

Heismyopendoor · 15/06/2018 15:05

Very expensive for what it is.

MereDintofPandiculation · 15/06/2018 15:06

It isn't a chimney, it's a summer fayre - sorry, really racking my brain to interpret this one!

hmcAsWas · 15/06/2018 15:07

Me too Grin

Labradoodliedoodoo · 15/06/2018 15:07

That’s a lot. However if it included a quality hotdog with a large plate of salads and stuff, I’d go for it.

Ours charges £1 pp. then food is extra.

stillswimming · 15/06/2018 15:29

I don't think it's a lot really, and there is no obligation to go. I don't think it's easy striking a balance when organising these things, if they sell food included in the ticket cost they can guarantee selling certain numbers of hotdogs so can buy in bulk with little wastage. If they sell separately not everyone will buy - they could potentially make a loss on food sales at f they overbuy. Bottom line it's an underfunded (and in some areas disappearing) service and they seem to be doing their best to keep it going.

We paid about £220 a month for our daughter to learn an instrument (everything from lessons, exams, books, instruments, servicing etc) so £10 a ticket isn't that much in comparison. Youth music costs were a bargain compared to the cost of lessons and instruments.

AjasLipstick · 15/06/2018 15:38

Swimming oh how nice for you! Hmm

hmcAsWas · 15/06/2018 15:42

Quite!

stillswimming · 15/06/2018 16:06

What? My point is that it's not a cheap hobby, and therefore not a cheap service to run. Music service budgets are disappearing. Youth music orchestras are very low cost (to the parent) in comparison to music lessons in general but cannot run for free. £28 maybe half a dozen times a year isn't a lot compared to the actual cost of providing the service for each child.

The whole experience is optional - the learning of an instrument, the opportunity to play within a group and the garden party itself. They will probably make little profit from the £28 ticket cost and will spend a huge amount of their own free time organising the event to achieve that for no personal gain. If you can't afford it, just don't go. If you think it could be organised better (more profitably?) then volunteer your services.

MrsJayy · 15/06/2018 16:14

The £4 for kids is for their food the tenner is to get in listen to a bit of music wander round some stalls and have a hotdog I think it is fine you are disputing the price but want your dd go to a funded activity. You could just go yourself with your dd halving the price. Arts funding is shit opportunity for kids to experience something like your Dd goes to isfantastic go support it then maybe lobby your council on why funding is being cut.

MrsJayy · 15/06/2018 16:18

Sorry misread you never mentioned a dd. Maybe if you are struggiling take them out or cut down you are obviously struggiling don't martyr yourself for your kids life is too bloody short for budgeting food over a choir

Original poster
Nerdybeethoven · 15/06/2018 16:35

I've just read the letter again. In addition they're asking each child to bring a bottle of wine or spirits for the raffle. So that's upped the budget a bit more. I'm absolutely not adverse to fundraising - I'm very aware of the state of arts funding as I work in the creative industries myself. But I do think people should be able to donate according to their budget. I wouldn't dream of taking the kids out of these activities because they love it and I'm happy that we can budget so that they get these opportunities. I'd also be ok if they increased the cost a bit, as that would be spread across the year. I'm not going to go overdrawn for the sake of £28 plus two bottles of wine, but it's one more thing on the balance sheet: kids need new trainers, (modest) holiday balance due, I need new glasses, had to have someone out last week to fix the boiler, car may not pass its MOT, various other end if term trips/parties/concerts which cost. It all adds up! I know I'm fortunate that we can do nice things but it's not a bottomless pit! think I'll pay for the kids, buy the bottles of wine, send them in with a couple of quid for the raffle, and sit this one out. Quite right about volunteering: I've done some other things for them in the past and there has been talk of setting up a Friends group for fundraising so I'll ask about that.

OP posts:
Bettyfood · 15/06/2018 16:53

They will probably make little profit from the £28 ticket cost and will spend a huge amount of their own free time organising the event to achieve that for no personal gain.

No, they probably won't make much profit, as not many people will go, and if they do, they won't spend as much money there due to the ticket price.

Our school fete is also run by parents and teachers "spending a huge amount of their own free time organising the event to achieve that for no personal gain", funnily enough, as are many other events up and down the country. We manage to raise over £8,000 each year with an entry fee of £4 for adults and free for children.

hmcAsWas · 15/06/2018 19:43

Bettyfood - we have free entry to our school fayre and yet we make a bundle of money