Pennypot Day Nursery hand over cheque to Brightest Stars

There was delight for colleagues at Pennypot Day Nursery in Chobham as they made a £2,000 donation to a local charity, having been personally touched by their mission.

Brightest Stars provide face-to-face bereavement support to children and their families in Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire and were crucial to the family of Pennypot Day Nursery Manager, Carol McDonough as her family experienced a tragic loss two years ago.

Following the death of her 38-year-old son-in-law, Graham, from bowel cancer, Brightest Stars were integral in helping Carol’s daughter, Vicky, and her two children - aged just four and ten at the time - navigate the grieving process and access counselling and play therapy.

The charity was founded by Helen Rowell, whose husband died suddenly in 2022, leaving her widowed with a four year-old son. Helen recognised the need for such a support group and set up Brightest Stars to enable bereaved families to connect, share experiences and build friendships, as well as providing specialised support, trips and days out.

The impact made by Brightest Stars inspired the Pennypot team to put in an application to the Charity Support Fund at their company; Childbase Partnership, which was established to help worthy causes close to the hearts of colleagues, and granted for a total of £2,000. The cheque was then proudly presented to founder Helen by Pennypot Manager; Carol and Team Leader and Nursery Charity Rep; Aprille Goubert, at the Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ setting.

Pennypot Day Nursery Manager, Carol McDonough explained;

“Helen and the wider support group have been instrumental to Vicky and the boys’ healing process, with counselling sessions and events to name just a few. The charity has provided a safe space for them all and they have formed some lovely friendships as a result. I have seen firsthand the incredible difference that Brightest Stars make, and I can’t thank them enough. We are so proud to be able to give back in this way and help ensure that other families going through unimaginable loss can access the same lifeline that we did.”

Pennypot Day Nursery have also adopted YoungMinds for a year-long fundraising drive.

click here for more details or to contact Pennypot Day Nursery (Chobham)