02 January 2008
Big-hearted building society helps local pre-schoolers
The Haverhill branch of the Saffron Building Society has stepped in, in the nick of time, to give a helping hand to a local pre-school.
The Samuel Ward pre-school in Chalkstone Way, Haverhill has been awarded £500, in the 2007 branch donation scheme, designed to support worthy causes in the area, in a push to empower local groups to help their own communities.
Pre-school manager, Helen French said the pre-school was an established part of Haverhill and its surrounding villages, and that many parents relied on it to provide a safe and educationally stimulating environment for their young children.
"We are absolutely delighted and so grateful to the Saffron Building society for their donation. The money will make a big difference. The pre-school building needs to be replaced due to its age. We have to apply renew our planning permission in July 2009, and are doing everything in our power to raise money before that time, so a new structure can be up and running for the children without too much disruption to their routines."
Ms. French said parents of children at the pre-school were working hard to raise money for the new building, and that now, because of the Saffron Building Society's donation, the future was looking bright for pre-school children in Haverhill and its villages.
"Haverhill has recently lost one of its pre-schools, so there is already a lack of pre-school provision in the town," she said. "So the thought of us having to possibly close is heart-wrenching. It would be a huge blow to the town, but the Saffron Building Society has stepped in just at the right time."
Haverhill branch manager, Sharon Mattheus said the building society was particularly delighted to donate money to the pre-school.
"We are truly a community-focussed building society, and giving back to our valuable customers, both current and future ones, is so important to us, " she said.
"It's wonderful that we can play a part in helping the Samuel Ward pre-school to stay open, something that will benefit our local children, as well as their parents."
