CHILDREN at a Chigwell nursery celebrated their last day of term by helping to raise cash for Haven House Children's Hospice.

Staff, parents and children at St Mary's in the High Road all joined together to raise funds for the Hospice in Woodford Green on July 9.

The race raised over £155 for the Hospice, which provides care for seriously ill children and respite care for their families.

St Mary's Nursery parent representative Rebecca Hunter said parents were moved after a visit from one of the volunteers at Haven House.

She said: "We had a lovely lady who came down and showed us a video of the work the hospice does in our end of year assembly.

"Afterwards there wasn't a dry eye in the house, one mum came up to me afterwards and said she just wanted to open her purse to the lady and just say 'take it all'.

“I think it really made a lot of us appreciate how lucky we are and the fantastic work that Haven House do.”

After the video the children released their balloons in the playground.

Mrs Hunter added: “The kids absolutely loved it, and I think quite a few of the parents did too.”

To find out more about St Mary's nursery call 02085 599 574.