Child and Co, which owns and manages 11 nurseries, is contributing to the building of two orphanages in Eastern Europe. The chain's directors, Ian and Lesley Millar, were inspired to support the charity Hope and Homes for Children after reading a news story about its work.
Child and Co has donated 50,000 to the charity, which moves children from large orphanages into small family home units where they can benefit from a stable family environment. The charity, founded in 1994, has so far provided family homes for more than 1,400 children in 14 countries.
Ian Millar said, 'Initially our goal was to help train volunteers to work in the orphanages and offer our staff the chance to go out, but that did not take off, so we are sponsoring building two orphanages in Sierra Leone and either Kosova or Romania. They enable children to leave state-run orphanages and join family groups where they can receive individual attention and love. Once we have established links we hope some of our staff will go out and visit so they can tell our nursery children about it.'
A charity spokesman said, 'Parents, staff and children of Child and Co have been wonderful supporters of Hope and Homes for Children. The staff have given their time and some of their salaries and parents have supported fundraising initiatives.
'We are always looking for trained and experienced childcare experts to work as volunteers, and regularly advertise in Nursery World.'
Contact Hope and Homes for Children at East Clyffe, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP3 4LZ (01722 790 111, www.hopeandhomes.org).