Police have been called in to investigate the disappearance of thousands of pounds of funds belonging to the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of a Bradley Stoke primary school.
Writing in a recent newsletter, Arlene Yalung, outgoing Chair of the Friends of St Mary’s (the PTA of St Mary’s RC Primary School in Webbs Wood Road) says:
“This year we have unfortunately encountered a problem with being able to produce a final set of accounts and have had to work with auditors from the local authority which has resulted in us having to pass the matter to the police.”
“It stems from a deposit of £3,500 being made in January that it would appear the bank are unable to trace.”
A spokesperson for the local education authority (South Gloucestershire Council) confirmed to The Journal that:
“The Friends of St Mary’s are currently voluntarily working with the appropriate bodies to resolve an accounting issue. The Friends are a completely separate organisation to the school.”
Parents at the school have been asked to: “refrain from becoming involved in any unhelpful conversations with each other or members of the Friends.”
i wonder where its gone
The Bristol Evening Post reports that Arlene Yalung, of The Hedgerows, Bradley Stoke, has admitted stealing £3,000 from the Friends of St Mary’s group. North Avon magistrates imposed a 14-week prison sentence on the 36-year-old, suspended for 18 months.