Children from … (nursery) in … (town/village) are getting down and dirty all in the name of clean water! This week, the Sunflower Challenge is being taken up by the nursery children all over the UK as they plant their giant sunflower seeds. The money raised will go to help villages in Malawi where the charity WaterAid is working to provide clean water and sanitation.

The Sunflower Challenge, in association with the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) and Nursery World magazine, is being launched on March 11, after which early year care providers and teachers will be able to use the Sunflower Challenge website to access teaching aids. These will include growing tips, height charts, sponsorship forms, competitions… etc. Perdita Chamberlain, Community Fundraising Manager, WaterAid says:

“The Sunflower Challenge is a great way to get children in the UK having green-fingered fun whilst learning about the importance of water to life in other places around the world. Plus, it’s economically and environmentally sound to provide all of this information electronically, saving WaterAid both time and resources.

"A child dies every 15 seconds through water-related illnesses. But nursery children in the UK can really make a difference - £15 enables WaterAid to provide someone with safe, clean water and sanitation. The Sunflower Challenge is hoping to raise £20,000 this year - enough to provide safe water and sanitation for over 1,300 people of the world's poorest people. We’re so pleased that ….. (name of nursery) children are joining in."

For further information on WaterAid go to www.wateraid.org

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Editors Notes:

For more information about ….. (name of nursery school) please contact…. (teacher) on…. (phone no.)

For more information about the Sunflower Challenge website please call Lisa Martin, on 020 7793 4524 or email: lisamartin@wateraid.org. The website can be seen at www.sunflowerchallenge.org.uk

The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) is the national membership association of day nurseries in the UK.

Nursery World is the leading weekly magazine for early years care and education professionals.