History

​

In 1982 a group of parents, teachers and friends started fundraising to build a hydrotherapy pool at Woodlawn School for the pupils with physical, medical and sensory needs.  The committee took the name Woodlawn Appeal for a Swimming Pool (WASP).  The 1980s saw the start of the Great North Run and many other fun runs which inspired WASP to organise a Xmas Pudding Fun Run on Whitley Bay seafront.  To make sure no one forgot the date they ran it on Boxing Day 1985, and all finishers received an individual Christmas pudding.  A local graphic artist Ken Ayre created the wasp and xmas pudding logo. 

​

A Run has taken place on all but two Boxing Days since 1985. Snow and ice saw one Run postponed to February and another cancelled altogether. 

 

Woodlawn Appeal for a Swimming Pool was successful.  Work commenced on the pool in 1988 and it was officially opened on 9 December 1992 by HRH Diana The Princess of Wales.

 

WASP became the Woodlawn Parents and Friends Association, and more recently renamed to Friends of Woodlawn, a group of volunteers who raise money for additional equipment and special projects which the school is unable to fund. 

Volunteers are welcome from parents, grandparents and any other relatives, carers and friends of children who attend Woodlawn School.

​

 

It Could be you ! 

​

​

​

We are a group of Woodlawn parents, carers, friends and staff who work together for three main purposes:

Our first purpose is to encourage a sense of community within the school by organising events where families can come together and get to know each other.

Our second purpose, as a charity, is that our primary remit is to raise funds to go back into the school to enhance the education and social wellbeing of the children.

Finally we aim to take the stigma out of PTA! The intention is to bring a group of people together who are sharing similar situations in life and create a group of friends.

​

WHO CAN JOIN FRIENDS OF WOODLAWN?:

Many people are familiar with the term Parent Teacher Association (PTA).  The main difference between a PTA and our Friends group is that we welcome friends of Woodlawn, previous parents and staff members over the age of 18 wishing to offer appropriate support or help. This enables both friends, teachers, parents, guardians or carers of children attending the school to be a part of our committee.

​

HOW DO YOU GET INVOLVED?:

In a world where everyone's time is precious getting people to join a PTA can be a daunting

task. But all parents, friends and teachers can get involved, even if they only have a small

amount of time available.

We always need more committee members to help us organise events and share their

fundraising ideas. This would involve attending the meetings and/or being on our

committee communication group. This would enable you to participate in the organisation, planning and running of projects and events.

If you don't have the time for a more regular commitment, then you can sign-up just

to support at an event.

​

HOW DO YOU GET IN TOUCH?:

​

Please email any queries to: fowcharity@yahoo.com

​

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT FRIENDS OF WOODLAWN?:

​

Friends of Woodlawn is a charity and is registered by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Registered charity number: 1205952

If you would like to support our charity please email: fowcharity@yahoo.com

​