A TODDLER group in Witney is appealing for more parents and their children to sign up, warning that the club could close down for good.

Funky Fridays toddler group, which has been running in Madley Park Hall for years, was taken over this year by friends Sam Foster, Zoe Godfrey and Rachel Howell.

But Mrs Foster said it was getting harder and harder to spread the word about the group.

On some weeks, the women only welcome one or two other toddlers and their parents into the class.

Mrs Foster, who lives with her three young children and husband Wayne in Madley Park, said: “Even though we advertise all the time and have posters everywhere, it’s really hard to spread the message.

“We don’t really know what else to do.

“On a good day we have 14 or 15 toddlers but on a bad day it’s four or five if we are lucky – and we each have a toddler ourselves.

“A lot of children used to come last term but they all started pre-school and reception.

“We are quite quiet now.

“It’s just a family group, we’re there for all of the family: nans come along with grandchildren, child minders come too, and we have one dad who comes religiously.

“We do not exclude anyone.”

The group takes place every Friday from 9.30am to 11am during term time and parents and their toddlers are invited to just drop in.

Each week the children enjoy craft activities, singing and other fun games, while parents and guardians chat over a tea or coffee.

Mrs Foster added: “We even dropped the price from £2 per family to £1.

“There’s not an awful lot for little ones to do in Madley Park, so it’s lovely if they can come here and meet others.”

The group receives no form of funding, and has to rely on the £1 cost and fundraising activities to keep going.

At the weekend, the women went to both Madley Brook Primary School’s fete and the Madley Park Hall fete to sell cakes and try to raise money.

To get involved, drop in to one of the groups on a Friday morning or email funkyfridays@yahoo.com