On the weekend of Saturday, November 23, a tree fell in the garden of Alderbury Pre School, causing significant damage to the children’s beloved pirate ship, ‘Pamela.’
The incident was first reported to manager Donna Clay by the preschool’s cleaner on Sunday afternoon. Clay recalls receiving a text message from the cleaner, which read: “Just to let you know, we’ve got a tree down.” After receiving the news, Clay informed the staff, and one of them reached out to Dynamite Scaffolding, who arranged for a tree surgeon to assist.
“The following morning, they arrived at 7:30 AM, cleared the tree, and even made us log stools,” Clay said. “I imagine they were very busy after the storm, so it was really kind of them.”
The tree removal was carried out by Southern Tree Care Limited, and when the preschool requested the invoice, they were informed that the costs had been covered by Dynamite Scaffolding. However, the damage to the wooden pirate ship was severe.
Clay explained that the preschool, which operates as a charity, has recently been focused on raising funds for various upgrades, including the garden. “The ship was one of the few things that didn’t need any work, so it’s especially disappointing,” she said. “The tree fell directly on it, and unfortunately, it will need extensive repairs.”
The preschool immediately communicated the situation to parents, and one mother, Suzanne Wilkinson, responded by launching a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the cost of repairs or replacement.
Clay expressed gratitude for the community’s support. “It’s amazing, especially considering it’s that time of year, with everyone facing increased costs and the pressures of Christmas,” she said.
The preschool is hoping to raise enough funds to restore or replace the pirate ship, a favorite play feature for the children. Donations can be made through the GoFundMe page set up for the project.
“We’re a charity preschool, and we have to cover all costs ourselves,” Clay added. “A huge thank you to everyone in the community who has already stepped in to help.”
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