VITAL SUPPORT HELPS FLOOD- HIT NURSERY REOPEN
ANURSERY devastated by flooding has now reopened after thousands of pounds were raised by generous locals.
Delighted families have thanked the people of Kilsyth who gave their backing when Kidstore Childcare suffered “substantial damage” following heavy rain in August.
The nursery had only reopened days before the devastation with months of work to get it up to Covid19 regulations washed away in a flash.
However, thanks to determined parents and support from the Glasgow Times, the North Lanarkshire hub now looks completely unrecognisable.
Lorna Harris, the chair of the parents committee, whose fundraising page raised more than £ 6000, has thanked the community for their backing.
She said: “It’s incredible what a lot of local companies and people have done for it and the children.
“We managed to raise over £ 6000 with thanks to you as well and the publicity.
“It’s a shame that because of Covid the parents haven’t been able to go in and see it for them selves but the photos look amazing and the children and staff are very happy.
“It was a real community effort which is testament to the town of Kilsyth, the nursery and these unprecedented times we find ourselves in.
“Obviously hoping a second lockdown doesn’t take the children out of nursery and that a flood like before never happens again.”
The flooding, which is understood to have happened when the nearby Ebroch Burn burst its banks, left a community devastated.
Not only was the entire outdoor space, essential to allow for safe social distancing, covered in water, the entire inside of the building was also been ruined.
Heartbroken youngsters were temporarily placed into the Garrell Vale Community Centre while nursery bosses began the restoration job.
It didn’t take long, however, for the town to go the extra mile and coin in cash towards the repair work.
Locals gave up their time and businesses did their part to ensure the nursery wouldn’t be out of action for too long.
Posting on social media, a spokesperson from the childcare centre wrote: “A lot of muscle and elbow grease has got us back open, for which we and our children are eternally thankful.
“But we must also recognise the huge emotional support we have received at an extremely difficult time and we feel very humbled that so many of you care.
“It was our 10th birthday on September 1, and we could never have imagined the state we would be in.
“Whilst we are nearly finished there remains work to be completed and we will have grand unveiling on Facebook of the finished nursery.”
Provost of North Lanarkshire Jean Jones said: “We are grateful to our colleagues in Mears for the work they did to fix the damage done to the nursery by the floods.
“We were all upset by the impact the floods had on the nursery building and are pleased that staff and children have safely returned.
“We wish everyone involved with the nursery the very best in their refurbished surroundings.”