Tasty help in store for pre-school survival bid
ACOMMUNITYMINDED store has put together a hamper of tasty treats to help a pre-school left on the brink by the Covid crisis.
Staff at the Ivymeade Co-op, on Ivy Road, will raffle off the goodies and also hold a tombola to raise money for nearby St John’s.
The pre-school needs to raise £5,000 to keep going through the pandemic and has launched a campaign.
As a charity-run organisation and childcare setting it is not entitled to furlough and does not get a government grant.
Staff at the Co-op have been offering support and have also let children put their campaign posters up in the store.
Manager Tasha Waterhouse, from St John’s, said: “Myself and all the ladies at St John’s are immensely grateful for all the help our preschool has been receiving during Covid-19 lockdown.
“We have been overwhelmed with the support that has been extended to us from children, parents, staff, families, friends and businesses alike, such as our local Co-op store.
“The team has provided us with a beautiful hamper to raffle off, collection buckets and an area to allow us to present our pre-school’s lovely artwork.”
During the pandemic the pre-school, which opened in 1986, had to let members of staff go and it was forced to close.
Normally 50 children would be on roll with 26 in each day but for September there has been only 20 with plans for no more than half of these in each day.
A crowdfunding page has been set up and has so far raised an impressive £3,800, aided by one person donating £825.
Tasha said: “Thank you so much to everyone it really does mean a lot to us.
“If there was one good thing to come out of Covid-19 it would be the highlighting of what a wonderful community we have around us.”
Anyone wishing to donate can visit www. gofundme and search ‘St John’s Pre-school needs our help’.