Snapdragons and Sunflowers - Fundraising for Ukraine
Seeds of hope
Spring planting at Snapdragons Atworth takes on a new significance as we plant our namesake Snapdragons alongside Sunflowers, Ukraine’s national flower. We’ll be planting sunflowers across the nurseries and offering packs for sale so you can share the love at home.
No one can be unmoved by the stories coming from the horrific war in Ukraine and we feel we cannot stand by and watch without trying to help in any way we can. We have decided that the best way is to support Unicef UK in its Fundraise for Ukraine appeal. Unicef helps children across the world – children caught up in wars, in disasters, in poverty and without education. At the moment, we would like to support the children of Ukraine, displaced by conflict, torn from their homes, their schools, their friends and extended families, or worse, trapped in a deteriorating war situation and unable to get away.
Compassion pours in
We launched our appeal just this week and we are so very proud of the response from our teams and our wonderful, generous parents. After just one event at Snapdragons Corsham we have already raised over £600 in donations. And Snapdragons has pledged to match all the donations received before the end of March* too!
Corsham cooks for Ukraine
So how did Corsham do it? They got baking! The children made Yabluchnyk (apple sponge) and Osyne Gnizdo (sweet buns, or “wasps’ nest buns”) and for lunch they tried Borscht (beetroot & cabbage stew) with Pampushky (garlic buns). And, as you can see, they all wore blue and yellow, the colours of Ukraine’s national flag.
What next?
Our appeal is ongoing so look out for more events from bake sales and plant sales to singing and dancing, all with a Ukrainian theme. We will approach any activities involving the children at nursery in the way that we normally celebrate other countries and cultures, through food, colours, stories and pictures. Because of the age of our children we won’t touch on any upsetting concepts or explanations of the current conflict.
How can you help?
We have set up a Justgiving page for any donations you kindly make and Snapdragons is pledging to match any contributions received before the end of March up to £5000.
We plan to continue supporting Unicef UK as one of our primary charities into the future to support their work across the world
“For Every Child in Danger”.
Boris Boosts Sales of Snapdragons' Facemasks!
Snapdragons Atworth have launched their own range of facemasks to raise money for charity after nursery chef, Charlotte Chivers, was diagnosed with cancer. Charlotte faces an operation, chemo and radiotherapy at Royal United Hospital, Bath, and asked for the money raised to go to Bath Cancer Unit Support Group to thank them for their care.
The red gingham facemasks match our Snapdragons aprons and are being handmade by our Inclusion Manager, Alison Shires, who has also made scrubs for the NHS during lockdown. Each mask will raise £5 for the cancer charity.
Alison says her sewing machine is red hot, but she’s very happy to sew for such a good cause. She also thanked the immaculate timing of Boris Johnson’s mandatory mask order for boosting sales!
Charlotte, who has been shielding at home with her two sons in preparation for her operation, says, “I’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness I’ve received from my friends at nursery, including all the children and parents. The team at Atworth is like an extended family and I feel so lucky to have their support. I know we’ll get through this together.”
Did you know Snapdragons Atworth is the first and smallest nursery in our family? It was started 22 years ago in a Wiltshire farmhouse which was then the home of owners!