Published: Friday, 12th March, 2010 9:00am

Laying foundations for new pre-school

by Adam Hewitt

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Building for the future: Hawkedon headteacher Alan Youd, Mayor of Wokingham borough Cllr Barrie Patman, pre-school co-chair Catherine Evans, Lib Dem Wokingham candidate Prue Bray, co-chair Angela Bunton, with children, parents and staff. ref: 101153

TEACHERS, parents and politicians have launched a £100,000 fundraising drive to give pre-schoolers a decent home.

The current base for Earleybird Pre-School in the grounds of Hawkedon Primary School is no longer suitable and the campaigners are desperate to get the money together to replace it so its 52 children can learn in a proper environment.

Lib Dem parliamentary hopeful for Wokingham, Cllr Prue Bray, attended the fundraising launch on Tuesday at the Hawkedon Way pre-school and said: "How on earth they've coped for this long in that building, I don't know. They can't go on like that. They have some fantastic plans and need just a bit more money to make them happen."

She offered a donation and her full support, as did Wokingham borough mayor Cllr Barrie Patman, Hawkedon headteacher Alan Youd and pre-school co-chairwoman Catherine Evans.

They have already secured £200,000 from Wokingham Borough Council and earlier fundraising, and are now desperate to find the final third of the money.

Lead fundraiser Vikki Carey said: "I'm really pleased with how the Earleybird Appeal launch went - getting the mayor down was a great bonus! It's nice to keep the parents involved and show everyone our plans for the future."

The pre-school was founded in 1987 and now operates the Hawkedon Foundation Stage Unit jointly with the primary school. The planned new building will be attached to the main school to give the youngsters more of a sense of being part of life there. The current building will be used for community groups and parenting classes.

Parent Anthony Vick said raising the money was "urgent" and added: "If there are any companies or individuals out there who would like to help by donating money or resources then we'd love to hear from them."

Cllr Patman said: "The fundraising committee, which is made up of volunteers, is showing real determination and commitment to raise this significant amount of money for its new building and I wish them every success."

The pre-school holds an Easter Fair on Saturday, March 27 from 2-4pm to raise money, and also wants visitors to bring old mobile phones and printer cartridges with them so they can be recycled for cash.

Some parents are also running the Reading Half Marathon to raise more money towards the appeal.

For information or to donate, email tea@earleybird.org.uk contact Ruth West on 07986 440308 or visit www.earleybird.org.uk