A FRIENDS group in Darlington are hoping to recruit more members to their committee in a bid to give children in their area the best start in life.

Dwindling numbers of parents joining the Friends of St Bede's group has placed the future of the committee in jeopardy.

As part of the group, parents with children attending St Bede's RC Primary School, off Thompson Street East, are invited to join together to organise a range of events for pupils and fundraise for school equipment.

In the past, the Friends have paid for outdoor climbing equipment, a sand pit, benches, goalposts, library books, leavers hoodies for Year 6 classes and Christmas presents for every pupil.

Christmas and summer fairs, discos, movie nights and bingo games have also been arranged by the group.

However, without more volunteers, the Friends will be unable to continue with their work.

The group are hosting a coffee afternoon on Monday, February 4, from 2.30pm at the school for any parents or grandparents interested in joining the committee.