Nursery shows Olympic spirit

A NURSERY was buzzing with excitement as Olympic fever came to town.

Busy Bees Nursery, in Hargate Way, Hampton Hargate, celebrated the arrival of the Olympic Torch in the country with a special event last week - and were joined by the Mayor of Peterborough cllr Paula Thacker.

A cuddly version of the Olympic Flame arrived at the nursery on Thursday, carried by the nursery’s giant bee mascot.

The cuddly torch relay event also helped to launch a campaign by Busy Bees called the Golden Mile initiative which aims to keep children active by getting them to complete eight miles of physical activity during the year.

John Cassidy, manager of the Hampton Hargate nursery, said: “All participating children will get the chance to engage in a number of exciting activities and they will all receive certificates at every significant milestone along the way as well as a commemorative Olympic-themed photograph and medal at their very own closing ceremony.

“Through nursery guidance and home participation the children can choose how they want to clock up their miles - whether it’s running, skipping, jumping or cart-wheeling.”

Louise Copson, regional manager for Busy Bees, added: “The reason for holding our own torch relay was twofold – one, to help launch the Golden Mile initiative in every Busy Bees Nursery in the country and two, to make the Olympics relevant to a four-year-old.

“It’s a monumental event and might not happen in the UK again within their lifetime. The children have now met Olympians and Paralympians and some have even had photos taken with them and been presented with medals – so now they have a connection and so have their families.”

The Golden Mile initiative is also raising money for The Dame Kelly Holmes (DKH) Legacy Trust.

Dame Kelly, a double Olympic gold medallist said: “It’s fantastic that young children are being encouraged to take up an active and healthy lifestyle and their support will really help us to create life chances for more young children.”