Cars, coffee and community spirit to drive fundraising push for Kirkinriola Primary School this Saturday

Car enthusiasts, families and local residents are being invited to gather in Broughshane this weekend as Kirkinriola Primary School PTA launches a community fundraising event aimed at helping fund new play and sports facilities for pupils.

The Coffee & Cars event will take place on Saturday 18 April at Broughshane Community Centre, 21 Knockan Road, Broughshane, BT42 4JY, with organisers hoping to attract a wide range of vehicles and strong public support to raise money for a new outdoor climbing frame and equipment for the school’s future sports hall.

With the school community at the heart of the event, the fundraiser is designed to bring together families, motoring enthusiasts and supporters from across the Ballymena area for a morning of vehicles, refreshments and family-friendly activities.

All vehicles welcome as fundraiser rolls into Broughshane

One of the vehicles set to be on show this weekend in Broughshane

Organisers have made clear that all vehicles are welcome, from classic and performance cars to everyday favourites and enthusiast builds.

Drivers wishing to display a vehicle as part of the show are asked to arrive between 9.30am and 10.30am, with the site gates set to close before the event opens to the public.

Entry for show vehicles is £10, while public admission is priced at £5 for adults, with children admitted free of charge.

The event will then open to visitors from 11am until 1pm.

The PTA has also asked anyone intending to bring a vehicle to send along a photo in advance so organisers can promote the line-up and keep track of expected numbers.

Fundraising focus on school facilities

Money raised from the event will go directly towards projects aimed at improving facilities for children at Kirkinriola Primary School.

The PTA said the funds will help purchase a new outdoor climbing frame and equipment for the school’s future sports hall, giving the fundraiser a clear and tangible benefit for pupils.

The event comes as schools and parent-teacher groups increasingly rely on community-led fundraising initiatives to support equipment and facility upgrades beyond core budgets.

For local families, the improvements would enhance both outdoor play provision and indoor sporting opportunities for pupils in the years ahead.

Food, coffee and family attractions on site

Beyond the vehicle displays, the event has been designed as a broader family morning out.

Organisers have confirmed that tea, coffee and food carts will all be on site, creating a relaxed community atmosphere for visitors.

A particularly family-focused feature of the event will be the schoolchildren’s own “Junior Paddock”, where pupils from Kirkinriola Primary School will have the chance to showcase their own “pride and joy”.

Local community support encouraged

With the fundraiser taking place over a compact two-hour public window, organisers are encouraging residents across Ballymena, Broughshane and the surrounding area to come along, support the school and enjoy the display.

The event offers a mix of local community fundraising, family entertainment and motoring interest, with all proceeds helping support future investment in facilities for pupils.

Those wishing to attend can find further details via the event’s Facebook page.

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At a glance

• Event: Coffee & Cars fundraiser

• Date: Saturday 18 April

• Location: Broughshane Community Centre, 21 Knockan Road, BT42 4JY

• Show car arrival: 9.30am – 10.30am

• Public opening: 11am – 1pm

• Show car entry: £10

• Adult entry: £5

• Children: Free

• Purpose: Raise funds for a new climbing frame and future sports hall equipment

• Extras: Tea, coffee, food carts and a children’s “Junior Paddock”