We have one main charity event every year. Over 800 children and 200 team members from across all five nurseries raise sponsorship money for dressing up for a particular theme. Previous themes have included Pattern, Pirates or Rainbow Colours. Rather than just having a single charity day, we dress up all week so that all of our children can take part in the event.

We always invite exciting visitors into the nursery for the week and have lots of fun activities that relate to the theme. Family and friends always contribute extremely generously and each event raises thousands of pounds. We always ask parents to suggest local children's charities who they would like us to support.

The Good Life Charity was set up by Bury couple, Mary and Kevin Maguire. They have built and continue to maintain an orphanage and school in Mombasa, Kenya. We have supported the orphanage every year since 2008 and have set up ongoing links so that the children and their parents can see exactly how the money is helping. As we feel that it is such a worthy cause we plan to continue the relationship with the orphanage in the years to come.

We have asked parents to bring in any unwanted shoes for the orphanage which have since been sent over to Kenya. The shoes were very much appreciated as the vast majority of the children walk everywhere barefoot, increasing the chance of serious infections.

Our children have also drawn pictures, made songsheets and nursery ryhmes books which have been taken to the orphanage for the children to learn the songs which are regularly sung in our nurseries. Parents have also offered help for example, one parent working for an international haulage firm has offered to help send supplies and equipment to the orphanage.

To read more about the orphanage please visit: www.facebook.com/TheGoodLifeOrphanage/

Below are links to the websites of just some of the well deserving charities that we have supported over the years. If you have a moment why not visit a few of these and see what fabulous work they do.

www.childrensadventurefarm.org The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust is a charity based around a beautiful 17th century farmhouse, in the heart of Cheshire countryside and offers free adventure breaks and activities to children who are disadvantaged by illness, disability and poverty, from all over the Northwest.

www.rmchcharity.org.uk The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity raises funds to ensure continued excellence in treatment, care and research, enhancing the lives of thousands of children each year.

www.headway.org.uk Headway is a charity set up to give help and support to people affected by brain injury.

www.buryhospice-friends.com Bury Hospice delivers very special nursing and medical care to local men and women who are living with a life-threatening or terminal illness whilst supporting their families and carers.

www.climb.org.uk Climb is a national organisation working on behalf of children, young people and families affected by metabolic disease.

www.birthmarksupportgroup.org.uk The Birthmark Support Group was set up by parents of children with birthmarks in December 1998 at the suggestion of Drs Harper and Syed from Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. Its objective is to provide a UK based support group for anyone with a birthmark.

www.derianhouse.co.uk Derian House Children’s Hospice offers specialist palliative respite and terminal care for children who may not live to reach adulthood.

www.nationalmssociety.org The National MS Society helps those affected by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services that help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.

www.wishesanddreams.org.uk The Wishes & Dreams Trust aims to make the wishes and dreams of terminally ill children a reality.

www.mndassociation.org The MND Association is a charity helping people with MND secure the care and support they need, while promoting research into causes, treatments and a cure.