A KINDERGARTEN is putting its efforts towards raising money for charity.

Busy Bees kindergarten in Manningtree has run two fundraising events this year, the Sparkle Foundation and a donation tree for a care home.

The kindergarten set up a grotto featuring Father Christmas and Tink the elf at the weekend.

Andy Hoy came dressed as Santa and Ella-May Boden arrived as Tink.

Other staff offered their time to help run the event safely, resulting in £500 raised over the two days with more than 80 children attending.

Michelle Kimble, proprietor at Busy Bees Kindergarten, said: “The Sparkle Foundation makes such a difference to children's lives and is a charity close to our hearts.

"The support they put in place is irreplaceable, next year the plan is to go even bigger.

“We are always lucky to receive amazing reviews as we try to go the extra mile to make the visit special.

“As a setting we want children to learn the importance of being kind, and how helping others can change people’s lives.

“The earlier children learn this the more likely it is we will create a supportive and understanding generation going forward”

Alongside this year’s grotto, staff member Kelly Van Eyk set up a fundraiser for a care home.

Busy Bees was given a wish list from 60 residents and tags were added to a donation tree.

Parents, children and staff took tags, purchased gifts and brought the gifts back for the residents of the care home.

Tracy Withers, fundraising manager for the Sparke Foundation, expressed thanks for Busy Bees Kindergarten’s support.

She said: “It is lovely to see an event so well supported and the funds Busy Bees have raised will support 33 children to receive an early years education, medical support, two meals a day and access to clean drinking water.”

The Sparkle Foundation is a UK registered charity which works with vulnerable children and communities in rural Malawi.

For more information on the Sparkle Foundation, visit www.sparklemalawi.org or contact Tracy at tracy.withers@sparklemalawi.org