Mother charges children £6 to come to her twins’ birthday

A single mother who asked parents to pay £6 per head for their children to come to her twins’ 5th birthday party has been slammed on Facebook. 

Ruma Ali, 29, asked parents to help with the cost of boys Shiyan and Kiyan’s celebration at an indoor play centre in Leicester.

Student Ms Ali said she made the request because she wanted all of their 60 school friends to come along, but certain parents have been less than impressed.

One wrote on Facebook: ‘In all my years of hosting and being invited to kids parties, I have never been asked to pay for attending a party. Is this the done thing nowadays?’

However, Ms Ali, who is in her second year at De Montfort University, said she made the decision because her sons are in separate classes with a lot of friends. 

She told the Leicester Mercury: ‘I didn’t want anybody to get left out. I thought I don’t want to pick and choose which friends can come.

‘I thought, invite the whole class and then nobody’s upset. I thought they [the parents] would understand [the charge].’ 

It costs £11-per-child to come along to Fun Valley, in Evington, Leicester, so if all of the boys’ friends go to the party it could cost £660, before Ms Ali has paid for goody bags and cake.

Ms Ali believes that even if parents do help subsidise the party, the bill could still spiral to £500.  

Student Ms Ali said she made the request because she wanted all of her sons’ (pictured) 60 school friends to come along, but certain parents have been less than impressed

The former council worker said only one parent had complained and others have taken to Facebook in support of the mother.

One person said: ‘Not all parents can afford to pay for parties but also they want to make their child happy by having a party for them. Instead of buying a gift you could pay the £6 and buy a birthday card.’

Another added: ‘I personally feel if you want to attend and pay then do so, and if u don’t that’s fine too.’