Toddlers to camp out for homeless

Christmas is a time of for lending a helping hand and the toddlers of Pebbles Montessori on the Shercock Road in Kingscourt are making a unique gesture in a bid to assist the less fortunate. As part of a wider fundraising effort in the town they are taking part in a sleep out to raise funds for the homeless.

Pauline Grimes, the manager of Pebbles Montessori, explained that she was approached by Aisling McMahon, Linda Gaynor and Stephanie Dodd to lend a hand in a fundraiser: “We wanted to do a charity event. We were just going to have a Christmas jumper day for all the children. When the three ladies approached us to help out with their efforts we though it was a great idea. We are now going to get cardboard and camp outside just to give the pupils and their parents an idea of what it is like for homeless people.”

Camping out in Kingscourt on a December morning will not be hard on the toddlers: “The camp out will run through the morning from 9:30 to 12:30. The staff understand the importance of physical activity for health and fitness, this is just an extension of this.”

Pauline says they have made certain preparations for the morning: “We were looking up the weather forecast for the day and it looks to be dry on Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday are supposed to be raining, so hopefully we will avoid that.”

On the morning about 40 children from the school's two classes and around eight adults will be participating: “Aisling, Linda and Stephanie are holding an event in town on Christmas Eve. They are hoping to raise money for items like sleeping bags, thermal clothing, duvets, jackets, wipes anything that the homeless would need particularly at this time of year,” Pauline said.

Anyone in the Kigscourt area is asked to pup by and help support this worthy cause.