Rossendale Free Press

Nursery saves up £4,000 to buy its own lifesaver

- FREE PRESS REPORTER freepressn­ews@menmedia.co.uk @RossFreePr­ess

AFTER nearly two years of fundraisin­g, a nursery school has bought its own defibrilla­tor and trained all staff in its usage.

A few years ago, Bacup Nursery School had a pupil with a heart condition who attended and she brought her own defib to school every day. When the pupil went to primary school, the life-saving equipment went with her.

Andrea Cooper, headteache­r of the Cowtoot Lane school, said: “Two years ago we were already talking about building a community room at the end of our premises so that we could provide a facility that the public could use. We knew just how important having a defib can be, so we started fundraisin­g. That was until Covid-19 came along and delayed some of our plans.”

However, the school managed to raise more than £4,000 over two years through a combinatio­n of activities.

Teaching assistant Louise

Wilson made a cake that was raffled, a pre-loved clothing stall was held, children designed calendars which were sold, donations were received, the proceeds of Christmas and Easter raffles were added and the children completed a sponsored bike track ride.

Mrs Cooper said: “The money raised paid for the equipment and all our training, which was delivered by Rossendale Community First Responders.

The defib is based in our community room, which has been used since September, and in January we are starting a baby and toddler session led by two of our highly trained staff, Sarah Coupe and Sarah Goggins.

“We consulted and found out that there was no free provision in the Bacup area on a Tuesday afternoon so we will be holding the sessions in the community room every Tuesday from

12.30pm to 2.30pm and these are free for anyone in the Bacup area, not just parents of nursery children.

‘‘Our community room is also home to Lancashire Adult Learning courses and weight management sessions run by Rossendale Leisure Trust as well as a coffee morning and parent support groups; all of which are free.

“In January we will also be running courses for parents of children who will be

leaving us in the summer to help them to get their children prepared for maths and reading at primary school.”

The school promotes acts of kindness, and pupil Nancy and her mum Sammie Crossley made and sold 1,600 chocolates to family and friends raising £200 for school.

Anyone interested in using the community room can contact Bacup Nursery School on 01706 873856.

 ?? ?? ●●Parker, two, with Sarah Coupe, Jackson, four, and Sarah Goggins and the defibrilla­tor in the Community Room at Bacup Nursery School bought with funds raised by the school
●●Parker, two, with Sarah Coupe, Jackson, four, and Sarah Goggins and the defibrilla­tor in the Community Room at Bacup Nursery School bought with funds raised by the school

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