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Toddle
waddlers, Sima and the sunshine make charity event a success
posted 16 July 2013
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| More than 100 “big” and “little” waddlers turned out for the charity Toddle Waddle at the Furlong Road Recreational Ground in Bourne End last Saturday despite soaring temperatures. The fun-filled sponsored walk which was organised by the New Beginnings Nursery, was in aid of the Meningitis Trust. Toddlers and their families walked two laps of the recreational field and were then awarded with certificates. |
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| Staff joined in the spirit of the occasion by dressing up as ducks and children were also able to see two real-life ducks which were loaned to the nursery by ‘Nathan’s farm’ in Chalfont. Sima Stannage and her team from Sima’s Action Kids donated their time and provided their popular high energy dance entertainment in the shade of a gazebo. |
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| “Saturday was a celebration of life – it was great to see so many happy smiling faces enjoying a family day out which is raising awareness and money for a serious life- threatening illness that can leave lives devastated,” said Nursery manager, Nicky Rowe. |
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| Ms Rowe explained that the New Beginnings team had very personal reasons for supporting the charity. A few months ago, one of their babies, Noah Penney was taken ill, and he was rushed into hospital. After many tests, the doctors realised that Noah had contracted pneumococcal bacterial meningitis, which is a rare strain of the disease that affects 200 people every year in the UK. |
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| “The hospital thanked the staff at our nursery for acting so quickly, and said that if we hadn’t done so, Noah might not have been around today, as the illness is fatal in 15 per cent of cases,” said Ms Rowe. “That is why we decided to organise the Toddle Waddle – it seemed particularly apt as Noah has only just started to toddle about himself.” |
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The
Nursery invited Noah and his family to the event as VIP guests: “Little Noah had a special duck outfit which was made for him,”
said Ms Rowe. Sima
Stannage from Sima’s Action Kids, who has been working with the
Nursery for three years, said it was a fantastic day: “the
sun was beaming down and it was very hot, so it was lovely to have the
gazebos for the kids to dance under. The highlight of the day for me
was seeing so many New Beginnings children there -past and present,
and supporting such an important cause.” |
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Sponsorship
money is still being collected but so far New Beginnings Nursery has
raised £422.25 so far. Ninety per cent of the funds raised will be
donated to the Meningitis Trust, and the other money will help the
nursery.
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