Parents run to fund Balcombe pre-school

The money will go to variety of investments in Tiggers pre-school on Stockcroft Road, such as staff training, a new playground and resources to support children with special needs.

Mum and Tiggers committee member Lucy Chettleburgh battled through a cough and cold to complete the 10k race in 54 minutes 32 seconds.

She said: “I’ve been part of the Tiggers committee for almost four years when my oldest daughter started at the pre-school.

“It’s been a fantastic way of giving back to the community, being involved in my children’s day care and keeping this vital village service running.

“But we do need more help, parents leave the committee when their kids grow out of Tiggers to start school and we need fresh ideas and energy.”

Tiggers committee member Georgia Lawe said several other pre-schools closed recently in Mid Sussex primarily due to funding shortages and a lack of legally required parental involvement in management committees.

She added: “The fact that some pre-schools have closed locally due to lack of parents volunteering is so sad and depressing.”

The runners took part in either the Brighton full marathon or the associated 10k run to raise the much needed funding.

Tiggers manager Sarah Manthorpe said: “We run as a not-for-profit organisation so we use the fees paid by the parents and/or council-funding to cover our costs, but we’re always in need of more cash so we can offer the best learning environment for our children.” 

Mum of two Louise Eldridge ran the 10k race in 54 minutes 24 seconds, just ahead of her Tiggers team mate.

She added: “Training with the other Tiggers parents has created a real bond between us, strengthening our feeling of community and raising money for Tiggers in the process.”

Have you done any fund raising recently?

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