Newcastle’s Peter Pan special needs nursery has marked its 40th anniversary with a celebration fun day at Newcastle and Hartshill Cricket Club on Saturday.
The nursery welcomed children and their families past and present, as well as the Mayor and local MP Paul Farrelly, to the festivities, which included games, ceramics-painting and a balloon race.
Established in 1969 at the Orme Centre in Newcastle, the nursery takes profoundly disabled children from birth to give them devoted specialist care and their families much-needed support.
‘I’ve known Peter Pan and its outstanding team for the last eight years in my time as our MP,’ said Paul. ‘The nursery is unique in our area, and much wider around, for the care it provides and it was lovely to see so many people coming out to support its 40th birthday party.’
As a charity, Peter Pan has to raise its own funds to help children with special needs and - with the commitment of its team and Paul’s willing support - was last awarded a £500,000 Lottery grant to help meet half its annual running costs over the next five years.
Paul is also supporting the nursery in efforts to get brand new premises, which Staffordshire County Council has promised to provide - next to Merryfields special school in Wolstanton – when the the Orme Building eventually closes, owing to its age and the costs of maintenance.
If you want to help, too, you can become a ‘Friend of Peter Pan’. To find out about making a donation, whether large or small, and see its marvellous work for yourself, just contact Mike Topping or Lynn Heighway at the nursery.
Peter Pan’s telephone number is 01782 715219, and their e-mail: enquiries@peterpan-specialneeds-nursery.co.uk
For more information, you can also contact Paul and go to the nursery’s website at:
http://peterpan-specialneeds-nursery.co.uk/Picture top left: Paul with founding chairman and chief fundraiser Mike Topping at the 40th anniversary celebration at Newcastle and Hartshill cricket club.
Picture below: With nursery manager Lynn Heighway, gearing up for the balloon race, which was set off by Newcastle’s Mayor.
