Parents in last ditch attempt to save their school crossing patrol (From News Shopper)
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Parents in last ditch attempt to save their Bromley school crossing patrol
12:18pm Tuesday 31st January 2012 in Education News By Rachel Conner
Children from St Marks Primary School with one of their crossing patrols
PARENTS at a Bromley school have managed to save their school crossing patrol after a frantic week of fundraising.
Campaigners at St Mark’s Church of England School in Aylesbury Road managed to raise the £6,400 needed to keep their two crossing patrols in Westmoreland Road and Queen Anne Avenue.
Parents initially thought they would not be able to raise the money but after being told about the Council subsidised scheme, where the Council would provide £2,000 per patrol if the school could raise the rest, they decided to give it a go.
On January 18 parents were told they had until February 1 to find the money, or the school would be unable to sign up to the scheme.
In just over a week they have managed to raise the cash, through a combination of donations from parents and local businesses.
Mum Adele Titford, 49, of Hayesford Park Road, has been leading the fundraising efforts, including organising a lollipop sale outside the school gates.
She said: “I’m absolutely elated, it has been fantastic. The support from people in the school and from outside has been tremendous.
“I was surprised by the response. When I started I had hoped we would be able to do it but I knew if we managed it would be amazing. It just goes to show how strong the support is to keep lollipop people.”
Rainbow Day Nursery in Hayes Road has agreed to provide the funds for one of the crossings, while the other has been saved through contributions from parents as well as other local businesses.
Executive Councillor for environment Cllr Colin Smith said: "The St Marks news is an extremely welcome and positive development, we look forward to receiving their formal application shortly.
"An increasing number of school crossing patrols have been saved as schools and sponsors have stepped forward to work with the Council in partnership and we sincerely thank all concerned."
