Charity-run nursery calls on Waterlooville community to help with fundraiser to replace 'dangerous' toy shed

When a member of staff put their foot through the wet, rotten floor of the shed, which also has damage to its roof, charity-run Bushytails Pre-school set up a fundraising campaign for new storage.

Children would ordinarily choose their own toys from the shed, but haven’t been able to enter since manager Jane Whiley deemed it to be unsafe.

Some of the toys are becoming damaged because of the condition of their home, for example metal bikes which have started to rust.

Jane, who has been manager at Bushytails for the 27 years since it opened, said: ‘I can’t have my staff and the children at risk, and outside play is so vital for their wellbeing.

‘It would bring back that community spirit, if people just gave a little bit, it all helps.

‘The money we have to pay out on that, it takes it away from the children for paints and things. We want the best for the children.’

The registered charity, which operates out of Springwood Infant School in Springwood Avenue, needs to raise more than £3,000 for a replacement so the children can have a safe place to store their toys which will stop damage occurring.

Treasurer Kirsty Creighton set up the campaign because she feels passionately about the nursery as all four of her children have gone there: Isla, four, 10-year-old Archie, Harvey, 12, and Alicia, who is 15.

Kirsty said: ‘I love this playschool, I’ve got four kids and they have all been here.

‘The kids love it, I have never had any problems here. It’s quite close to my heart and I wanted to give something back.

‘Times are tough at the moment for everybody, but if everyone can pull together that would be amazing.’

Staff and parents, as well as Springwood’s executive headteacher Jo Livingstone, have begun giving donations online and in the nursery’s ‘shed fund pot’.

To donate to the campaign, visit uk.gofundme.com/f/new-shed-to-store-childrens-toys-for-playschool.