Charminster Pre-school near Dorchester, Dorset, was affectionately known as 'the hut' before local companies volunteered time and resources to turn the run-down building into a modern, eco-friendly cabin.
Magna Housing Association, a non-profit community organisation, donated Pounds 30,000 and managed the nine-week building project. The pre-school raised Pounds 31,000 in fundraising events and grants from Sure Start, the parish council and the local authority.
Jacqui Jarrett, chairperson of the pre-school committee, said, 'A project manager was on site every day, and local plumbers, electricians, roofing contractors and site managers all worked for free. Even the kitchen and toilets were donated.'
Neil Williams, project manager at Magna Housing, said, 'We helped to facilitate this because of the pre-school's critical need for a new building, and because of the positive impact it will have on the neighbouring communities. This project has become a reality because local businesses are dedicated to the cause, and are prepared to give their services and expertise free of charge.'
Ms Jarrett said, 'The new building has enabled us to increase our capacity by 50 per cent, taking on 34 children at any one session. This project has given us a future - without it, it's unlikely that we would have been viable in three years' time.'