A father of four has set his sights on helping his local pre-school after they have supposedly faced financial difficulties over the past few years.

Sunningdale pre-school, founded in 1969, was started to cater to the pre-school needs of children in the village of Sunningdale.

After being bought over in 1992, the pre-school has been run as a charity by a dedicated group of mums who operate it under the Earley Years Foundation Stage Framework.

It provides 'Outstanding Early Years Education, as well as an Afterschool Club for those older children who attend Holy Trinity School.

Hearing that the pre-school has come into financial straits, Christopher Ward, who currently has a daughter at the school has decided to host a fundraising event.

This will include a BBQ at the local recreation park with a variety and activities for both kids and adults.

The 37-year-old Tesco worker said that he is committed to helping the pre-school which offered a great environment for three of his daughters.

He said: “My two eldest daughters loved their time at this school and my youngest daughter is loving her time there at the moment. Our son also starts there shortly and I’m sure he will love it as well.

“I want to try and ease the pressures from them and help them out during this hard time.

“After everything that happened and all the struggles recently they are trying to push to do a couple of events.”

Christopher is currently in the midst of organising the summer event which will take place on July 14 at the Sunningdale Recreation Grounds between 12 pm and 5 pm.

Alongside the BBQ, the local café will be supplying refreshments including teas, coffees, and Pimm’s.

A bouncy castle has been organised as entertainment alongside the playpark popular with older children.

Christopher added: “Lots of kids in Sunningdale have gone through the pre-school over the years and it is very important to the community.

“The pre-school is completely behind my idea and they are going to advertise it with parents and with the school next door.”

Sharon Thompson, the manager from Sunningdale Pre-school commented: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank Chris for all his support and lots of success for the event; we look forward to the whole community, as well as past and present families, coming along.

"Up until COVID we had been lucky enough to make a profit and always invested straight back into our setting.  However, over the past couple of years’ we have been running at a loss; due to a significant increase in the rent of the small and large hall, as well as increasing staff wages in line with inflation, and the required National Living Wage Allowance.  And then there is the cost of living, which everyone is aware of. 

"As advertised in the media the Government funding for 2 year olds has now come into effect, and although the Government did increase the rate we receive for funded children, this is still not enough to meet the rising outgoings that Pre-school incurs. 

"With the continued support of our families, past and present, with fundraising events such as sponsors, raffles, Quiz Night and the Community BBQ that Chris Ward is organising, we hope to raise funds to continue to be able to support the whole community, in Sunningdale and beyond, with their children's Early Years Education.