PARENTS and staff at a Wiltshire pre-school are looking to raise a further £45,000 towards a new building.

They have already raised £140,000 to provide Holt Pre-School with a new building to replace its 50-year-old premises which are now outdated.

To help achieve their target, the fundraisers are continuing to take their inspiration from Captain Sir Tom Moore, more popularly known as Captain Tom, the former British Army officer who raised money for charity in the run-up to his 100th birthday during the Covid-19 pandemic and who died on February 2.

They have organised an auction of promises for the Captain Tom 100 Challenge and are trying to raise 100 promises by Friday, April 30, on what would have been Captain Tom’s 101st birthday to honour him and his amazing achievements.

Anna Mundell, of the Holt Pre-school fundraising group, said: “Captain Sir Tom’s family are encouraging people of all ages and abilities to take part in the Captain Tom 100 by taking up a challenge around the number 100 and completing it by May 3.

“Holt Pre-school are excited to be rising to this 100 challenge by recruiting the villagers of Holt and local businesses to donate their gifts, time, assets and services in a wide-ranging list of 100 promises.

“People will then bid on these promises in an online auction, or for the less tech-savvy, in bid boxes which will be dotted around the village.

“Money raised by the auction will all go towards the construction of a new building for the pre-school to replace the current one which has reached the end of its life.”

Since starting out their gigantic fundraising efforts with the children’s 5k for £5k walk last year, Holt Pre-school has also been awarded a number of grants and is now delighted to have achieved 75 per cent of its £185,000 target.

The parents and staff are working hard to raise the remaining £45,000.

Mrs Mundell added: “Promises donated so far include a child’s portrait by local artist Samuel Francis, manicures by Holt salon Nails at the Spa, career coaching, crochet lessons, babysitting and many more.

"The pre-school welcomes all donations of promises by all local businesses and individuals.

"The new building will not only secure the future of pre-school but also benefit the wider community by providing a new space, available for a multitude of other uses as well."

Kate Buckrell, business manager for Holt Pre-school, said: “I am absolutely delighted with the fundraising efforts of our pre-school community to date.

“We still have a long way to go though and now we would very much welcome donations of promises from any individuals or businesses who can help us," she continued.

“To lose the Pre-school would be a severe blow to the village so we are doing all we can to raise these funds.”

If you or your business are able to help, please email fundraising.holtpreschool@gmail.com.

To donate, go to https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/holt-pre-school