A NURSERY facing closure due to lack of money has raised enough money to stay open this year.

Staff at Little Ducklings in Harmsworth Crescent in Hangleton feared the worst when funding became limited.

But, helped by parents and members of the community including Hove MP Peter Kyle, they have managed to raise enough money – £10,000 – for the pre-school to keep its doors open this academic year.

“We are just blown away by the support we have received,” said co-manager, Charlie Friend.

“We are so happy as this year we are celebrating our 20th anniversary of being an established pre-school.”

The nursery is known for supporting many low-income families, some living in poverty, who use Little Ducklings and rely on the Government-funded childcare scheme.

Co-manager Donna Payne said: “It was just such a massive amount to have to raise in such a short space of time.

“But every time we raised a bit, we just kept going with it and put more and more effort in.

“Raising this much has shocked us in such a lovely way.”

The money came from a range of different people, according to Donna.

She said: “We had a gentleman, Patrick Lott, who ran two car boot sales and gave everything he earned from his sales to us.

“It must have been more than £500.”

The nursery hosted a raffle with more than 50 prizes and ran a cake sale to boost the funding.

Donna said: “I think we raised about £1,200 on that day which was just such a great achievement.

“We have even had people who aren’t local donate generous money which has been so overwhelming.

“All the staff here have been overwhelmed because at the end of the day it’s their jobs as well that were at threat.”

MP Mr Kyle said: “I’m a huge supporter of Little Ducklings and am over the moon that the hard work to secure funding has worked.

“A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped.

“I’m proud the nursery received a ‘good’ rating after another Ofsted inspection, and now funding is secured it can be totally focused on giving loads of toddlers the richest and loveliest nursery environment possible.”

The nursery is now hosting open days for families interested in sending their children to Little Ducklings.