LOCAL MP Michelle Donelan will walk 87 miles in three days to help raise money for the construction of a new building at Holt Pre-School.
The MP and a member of her team will walk the length of the Kennet and Avon Canal at end of this month.
Since last year, the pre-school has been busy fundraising to replace its current building, which has reached the end of its life. The pre-school has a target of £200,000, and has so far raised £155,000.
The local MP has set a fundraising target of £1,500 to help the pre-school in its push to raise the remaining £45,000.
Michelle said, “I am really looking forward to the opportunity to do something a really challenging and ask people to put their hands in their pockets to donate to a really good local cause that needs to saved, please follow my progress and send plasters along the way!”
A spokesperson for the MP continues, “As has previously been reported, since November 2020 Michelle Donelan MP has been working with representatives from Holt Pre-School to safeguard the future of the pre-School and secure funding for a new building and is delighted to share details of her epic walk to help in the efforts and urges people to sponsor her.
“For the past 50 years, Holt nursery has been providing excellent childcare and is a fantastic community asset that we cannot afford to lose. The nursery is not for profit and runs additional fundraising events and visits local community groups including the Luncheon Club – which provides advice and support to families in need.
“Without a new building, this will mean that the nursery will need to close. Wiltshire Council owns the building and the council has recently funded some repairs in the short term; however this is not a sustainable position and a new long term solution is needed.
“Michelle has been exploring all avenues to look for sources of funding and will continue to press the case. The fantastic local team have raised £155,000 however there is an additional £45,000 that needs to be raised.
“The Member of Parliament for the Chippenham Constituency is really looking forward to the opportunity to fundraise herself for Holt Pre-School and urges people to follow her progress as she prepares to walk the 87 miles of the Kennet and Avon Canal in 3 days at the end of September.
“The fundraising committee have done an amazing job and applied for many grants and are doing as much fundraising as possible but as everyone has experienced, they have been very restricted by the pandemic which has not only impacted group activities but the ability of many families to contribute to the fundraising.
“The aims and objectives and business case for a new building and annual accounts can be viewed on the pre-schools website: www. holtpreschool.co.uk/fundraising and Michelle Donelan MP is urging any local businesses who could help to come forward and please email michelle.donelan.mp @parliament.uk to discuss the opportunity further.”
To sponsor Michelle Donelan MP ahead of her walk, visit the website: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/michelle-donelan
