Glastonbury nursery launches urgent fundraiser after storm damage
A Glastonbury nursery is appealing for help after suffering major storm damage to its outdoor play area.
St Dunstan's Honeybees Playgroup, a long-standing charitable nursery in the town, has launched a fundraising campaign after Storm Darragh left its outdoor space unsafe and unusable.
The team say the damage has had a serious impact on the children's ability to learn and play outside.
The storm, which hit earlier this year, broke equipment and damaged fencing at the site. With safety now a concern, staff have been forced to restrict outdoor access — a huge blow to the nursery's curriculum, which relies heavily on outdoor learning.
"Outdoor learning is a vital part of our approach," said Laura Richards, from the nursery. "It gives children the chance to explore, play, and build confidence. Right now, they're missing out on those essential experiences."
St Dunstan's Honeybees operates as a not-for-profit organisation and provides affordable early years childcare to families in and around Glastonbury. But rising costs and tight budgets have made covering essential repairs impossible without help.
"While we receive government funding for early years education, it falls far short of what's needed to actually run a nursery," said Laura. "The cost-of-living crisis has made everything harder — from paying utility bills to buying supplies."
The nursery has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise the funds needed to replace broken play equipment, repair fencing, and keep the nursery running smoothly.
So far, fundraising has been slow. The team say they understand that local families are also feeling the squeeze — but are now appealing to the wider community for help, whether that's in the form of donations, materials, or skilled labour.
"Every contribution — big or small — will help us make the play area safe again, and support the future of this much-loved nursery," Laura said.
To support the playgroup, you can donate at https://gofund.me/ffa44682
Local businesses or individuals able to offer practical support are also encouraged to get in touch.
St Dunstan's Honeybees has long been part of the fabric of the local community — and staff hope that with the community's help, it will continue to be so for many years to come.
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