Ramsey Preschool Playgroup

A TOWN’S only playgroup has issued a desperate plea for volunteers to help raise money needed for vital renovation work.

A TOWN’S only playgroup has issued a desperate plea for volunteers to help raise money needed for vital renovation work.

Ramsey Pre-school Playgroup, in Station Road, is struggling to get enough money together to carry out basic repairs, such as fixing cracks in the playground and replacing a leaking roof on the shed where the children’s outside toys are stored.

The registered charity relies on the help of volunteer parents to raise funds, but Julie Payne, chairman of the playgroup committee, said the current economic climate had forced many parents to return to work, leaving the playgroup short of help.

“We have just six volunteers and without a fundraising committee it’s impossible to raise the money needed to make improvements,” she said.

“We are really struggling to find more volunteers.”

Mrs Payne, a mother of two who lives in The Avenue, Ramsey, said: “It’s a desperate time. We have been running for 40 years and are the only playgroup in Ramsey.

“We have support from the local community but need more.

“The children do not suffer and the staff do an excellent job, but cosmetically the nursery needs attention.”

Mrs Payne, 28, who works in customer services, said the pressure of chairing the nursery committee with so few volunteers had sometimes left her in tears.

“It would be a great weight off my shoulders if we had more volunteers to share the workload.

“We need people to give up only a few hours a week. I have cried about the ­position we are in, because we are so desperate for help.”

INFORMATION: Anyone willing to help the nursery should e-mail j.richardson827@btinternet.com