A North East nursery group supported regional charities and good causes with over £10,000 of donations in 2025.
The group’s three nurseries, Little Ladybirds in Stockton and Clever Clogs in Belmont and Bowburn, hold a number of fundraising events every year with charities chosen that mean something to them, or are put forward by parents and carers.
Among those to receive donations in 2025, either with money or food, clothes, toys and gifts, were Zoe’s Place in Middlesbrough, Lily’s Foundation, which supports families affected by Mitochondrial Disease, Teesside domestic abuse charity My Sister’s Place and Chester-le-Street based Heel and Toe Children’s Charity.
Other good causes that the nurseries helped were Feeding Families, Macmillan Cancer Support and Bowburn Care Centre.
Clever Clogs Nursery Group’s Operations Director, Sharon Lewis, said: “Supporting charities and good causes is something we’re all incredibly passionate about, and that’s why every year our nurseries organise fundraising activities to raise much-needed money and collect vital donations to help those who need it most.
“These activities are organised entirely by the nurseries themselves, it’s something they want to do because they care about their communities and we’re lucky that our parents, carers, and little ones always give their full support to everything we’re doing.
“Last year, our efforts raised over £10,000 in cash donations and food parcels, clothes, gifts, and toys for North East charities that rely on the support from the public, so I’d like to thank everyone who did their bit to help us.
“This year, we’re hoping to better, which I’m sure we can do.”
Fundraising is currently underway at Bowburn, Belmont and Stockton to help little Benny Bahmanizad, from High Shincliffe, who is battling stage four neuroblastoma.
Benny attended the Bowburn nursery until he started pre-school and his younger sister still attends, so the team is very closely involved with the family.
Benny’s parents, Nicola and Daniel are trying to raise £393,000 to fund CAR T-cell therapy in Rome, as the treatment isn’t available in the UK.
Jess Lowes, deputy manager at Bowburn, said: “We will be undertaking a big fundraising drive later this month for little Benny, who attended our nursery until recently. Unfortunately, he has suffered a relapse and the only treatment he can receive is in Rome, so we’re going to be supporting the family to hopefully help them raise the money they need to get him there.”
