Craft packs will keep children occupied during the lockdown
By Aimee Walsh
A LOCAL pre-school has started a fundraiser in order to provide arts and craft packs for children to keep them stimulated and occupied during lockdown.
Bambi’s Pre-school in Clondalkin have appealed to businesses, factories, shops and suppliers for donations towards arts and crafts packs for their little clients. They also have said if anyone wishes to donate money, they can buy the supplies themselves.
Brid Corr, owner and manager of Bambi’s
Brid Corr, owner and manager of Bambi’s pre-school said she started making the packs from her kitchen last March when the first lockdown began.
“I remember last March when Covid hit, it was a Thursday and we just had to go home and that was it. For some it was pretty traumatic - they had been in this lovely routine and they had made new friends and for some of them it would have been their first time out of their homes in a playschool environment.
“All through the summer we sent them packs, and they were really well received, and the parents were really delighted,” Brid told The Echo.
Brid explained that due to schools being closed currently, more parents are finding it increasingly difficult to keep their children occupied, especially if there are multiple siblings that need help with schoolwork in the same household.
“When we did not come back after Christmas, it was worse because it was such a short period. We sent out the first pack and the reaction is absolutely amazing because at the moment, parents are trying to cope with other siblings doing homework.
“A lot of parents have their hands full. A lot of them are trying to work as well. It keeps us all engaged, we keep getting messages through the parents from the children.”
At the moment, Brid cannot continue to supply the arts and crafts packets out of her own pocket, so has reached out to businesses and suppliers for help through a GoFundMe page.
“We are continuing to do it, but it is out of my pocket and we don’t get money for arts and crafts. I thought there are loads of services that are closed, so I thought maybe for the local area if anyone would like to donate. We have reached out to suppliers for loads of arts and crafts stuff.
“So far, we have got a couple of donations, so we are working on them – two people that have really helped us so far is Blues PJs and School and Office World in Clondalkin.
“Anything that comes in is going to be put into the packs and go straight back out. If we get donations we will go down and buy them ourselves, and if we get donations of arts and crafts even better.”
To donate go HERE.
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