Children at Glasgow nursery receive visit from Courage the Cat after fundraising efforts

Courage the Cat met with kids who attend Cardonald Nursery, in the city’s Southside.

This was after the youngsters raised £1500 for Cash for Kids by taking part in an exciting danceathon.

Another seven nurseries, all run by Collin Care Nurseries, also got involved in the successful fundraiser.

A total of £7500 was handed over to the grant-giving charity which helps children affected by poverty, abuse, neglect, and illness.

Maggie McGuire, nursery manager at Cardonald, said: “For years, all the nurseries have been doing our own fundraisers for different charities. This year, we decided as a company that we were going to pick one charity.

“This year we chose Cash for Kids because we are a nursery, and we work with kids, so we see the effects of poverty on children. Every year going forward we will choose a different charity to hand over the cash to.”

The recent danceathon, which was held last month, was one of three events that will take place over the next year.

Parents and carers sponsored their children to take part in the charity fundraiser.

Maggie said: “We done it for an hour each day, so every child got a chance to participate.

“The children had a great time; the feedback was great. The parents were saying the kids were all coming home asking ‘can we dance again tomorrow’ and that they were all really excited about it.

“Everybody had a great time, the staff loved it too. We brought different things in such as glow sticks. One day it was Disney songs and the next it was children’s party music – we mixed it up throughout the week.”

Sponsored walks, sponsored bounces and wellie waddles were enjoyed by children and staff at the company’s other nurseries.

These are Cabbage Patch Nursery and Kiddieshack Nursery in Wishaw, Mayfield Nursery in Glasgow’s Crosshill, Glencoats Lodge Nursery in Paisley, Rivendale Nursery in Bridge of Weir, Treetops Nursery in Irvine and Treetops Too Nursery in Saltcoats.

Courage made a surprise visit to Cardonald Nursery on Wednesday, to thank everyone for their efforts.

Maggie added: “The fundraising incorporated learning about giving. It helped to teach the children that not everybody in the world has what they need and it’s about sharing and caring as well.

“They loved meeting the mascot – they were all excited. We had just said that there was going to be a surprise visitor and then Courage came out. Only one child cried and the rest of them were laughing and loving it.

“I’d like to thank all the parents, staff and children for taking part and for the sponsorship which raised a fantastic amount.”