Toy appeal to help event go off with a bang

‘‘The children have been involved with it all, coming up with ideas and seeing if they’re doable or not.’’

A softer, cuddlier approach to fundraising has pupils at a Marlborough school looking for furry friends.

Pupils at Whitney Street School, in Blenheim, have been working hard over the past few weeks for their annual Lights Over Marlborough fireworks fundraiser.

It is the first year the school has included a toy stall at the event.

To help ensure it goes with a bang, stall organisers are appeal- ing for donations of preloved or new toys in good condition to sell.

Hosted by the school for 34 years, Lights Over Marlborough is held at the Marlborough A&P Showgrounds every year.

The popular show attracts thousands and this year’s show promises to have even more on offer than before.

Year 5 and 6 teacher Christie Dalzell has been helping organise the event since she joined the school five years ago.

‘‘The children have been involved with it all, coming up with ideas and seeing if they’re doable or not. The stalls at Kidzone last year were really successful so it will be bigger this year.

‘‘At the moment, the children are making slime to sell and working on getting the recipe right to make bulk amounts. They’ve been following the recipe and some science has come into it and some problem-solving skills to get it right.

‘‘Most children have grasped the enterprise side of things and they know that the more goods are donated then the more money they’ll make for the school,’’ she says.

The popular Lights Over Marlborough will be held on November 18 between 6pm and 10pm at the Marlborough A&P Showgrounds on the corner of Maxwell and Alabama roads.

All family passes, $35 for two adults and three children, purchased before November 18 will go into the draw to win special VIP seating.

Passes are available from Gill Construction Company at 95 Middle Renwick Rd during business hours Monday to Friday. Ask for Roger or Shona.

Tickets are also available from the gate for $8 for adults and children over 5. Under 5s are free.

Toy donations can be dropped off at Whitney Street School during school hours.

PAULA HULBURT/ STUFF Whitney Street School pupils, from left, Kyla Thornstensen, 10, Charlotte Hutchison, 10, Jasmine O’Connor, 11, and Mayara Pink, 10, have been sorting toy donations for the new Lights Over Marlborough stall.