Meriel clocks up the miles for Happy Hours Preschool
A TWYFORD resident took up a special walking challenge to raise money for Happy Hours Preschool.
Meriel Hart walked 300 miles during January, 100 for each of her children who went there.
And she had additional challenges to overcome — during lockdown Meriel underwent three operations, two of which were on her right hip.
“During April last year I walked 100 miles for a charity that provides covid vaccines to women in developing countries,” she says.
“I really hurt by the end of it, and this was an even bigger challenge.”
Meriel is a long-serving member of the current parents’ association for the preschool.
Her boys are now four, seven and eight, and she has been on the committee since her eldest was at Happy Hours.
“They all had the best time there, and we have all made friends for life because of the preschool”, Meriel adds.
“And because we are moving to Scotland in July, I wanted to do something special to say goodbye.”
Both Meriel and her husband Anthony are similarly communityfocused. Anthony was the organiser of last October’s Twyford and District Round Table fireworks.
Meriel set up Facebook page Twyford Kindness as a forum for residents and charities to share positive messages and seek support.
A collection the group organised for 50 pairs of shoes to send to Zanzitoto, a charity based in Zanzibar in Tanzania, ended up sending more than 180 pairs.
“I love fundraising for charities, I like to make a difference,” Meriel says.
Happy Hours Preschool manager, Kate Cromar, says that they appreciate the support of parents old and new, as
well as the wider community.
“What Meriel has done for us on the parents’ association is already brilliant,” Kate says.
“But for her to undertake this challenge for us is really fantastic.”
The current Happy Hours building opened in 1983. The preschool launched the Big Build project in 2013 to raise money to help maintain and make improvements to it.
■ For more information, visit: gofundme. com/f/goodbye-happy-hours or log on to: happyhourspreschool.co.uk