Childcare team go the extra mile for charity in sponsored walk

Big-hearted childcare colleagues will step out on a 13 miles charity walk calling in at three Newcastle nurseries on Friday (May 17).

The seven-strong team from The Co-operative Childcare will walk from its Neville Street nursery to its Newburn nursery and then on to its Newbiggin nursery to raise money for charity partner Teenage Cancer Trust, the UK’s only dedicated charity to improving the lives of young people with cancer.

At Newburn they will help lay a line of pennies in a closed off section of the car park and will be joined by the children there who will show their support by walking this short penny distance.

The three nurseries on the walk, plus four other Co-operative Childcare’s nurseries in the north of England, have collected hundreds/ thousands of pennies for the line and will also back the initiative by hosting teddy bears picnics to raise funds.

Walk organiser Paul Bowker said: “We got together at our Colleague Forum and decided to do something a bit different to raise money and awareness of Teenage Cancer Trust.

“We’re not sure how long the walk will take us but it will be worth it for such a good cause. We’re collecting sponsorship from colleagues, family and friends and parents of the children at the nurseries.

“The teddy bears picnics, with tea and special activities, are a way to engage children in the day and also to explain why we are doing it.”

The Co-operative Childcare is part of The Midcounties Co-operative which is supporting Teenage Cancer Trust as its charity partner over the next two years. By the end of the fundraising partnership the charity will be able to provide 20,000 hours of nursing care for young people with cancer.

click here for more details or to contact Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-School, Newburn