Beyond the Nursery Slopes!
We're Going to Climb the 4 Peaks

This Olympic summer we're heading for the mountains. Over two weekends in June, early years staff, management and nursery families will be undertaking the 4 Peaks Challenge, climbing Carrantuohill in Ireland, Snowdon in Wales, Ben Nevis in Scotland and Scafell Pike in England.

Carole Edmond, Managing Director UK and Ireland, explains:

Why are we climbing mountains? We are doing it to help children and families who need our support.We created the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children with the specific aim of helping families and children in our local communities who are in crisis, such as those living in temporary accommodation or fleeing from domestic violence. The need is great and the figures are shocking:

• At least 750,000 children a year witness domestic violence (Department of Health)
• Almost 70,000 children in England are living in temporary accommodation (Shelter)

However, with the help of our Foundation supporters – staff, children and families, clients and suppliers - we are able to make a difference. To date, we have opened 18 Bright Spaces©, rooms or garden areas in homeless shelters and temporary housing facilities where children and families can play, learn, have fun and most of all feel safe. For children who have had to leave everything and now have nowhere to play, and no books or toys of their own, access to a Bright Space means so much.

We want to keep creating Bright Spaces and do so much more. But for this work to continue we need to raise funds, and urgently. That is why we have set ourselves this ‘mountainous’ challenge. We have a team of over 100 climbers, including staff from across the business and also nursery families and other Foundation supporters. We are all training hard, and with a passionate purpose, to raise money and publicity for our Foundation and its great work. It’s not just the climbers however who are making the difference – our nursery teams, children and families are all busy fundraising and leaving messages on our Facebook page to keep our spirits up!

You too can support our 4 Peaks Challenge by visiting our Facebook page and leaving a message of support. Our Facebook page links to our just giving page - any donations will be much appreciated.