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Whatever the weather, whatever their age, there’s no escaping the great outdoors at one Darenth pre-school - and that goes for the adults too.
Dimples Day Nursery is a designated Forest School which focuses on outdoor activities where youngsters enjoy tree climbing, wood whittling and even lighting camp fires.
But now staff and parents are joining in the action, albeit a little more strenuous and sweaty.
The nursery in Green Street Green Road is also home to Fusion Fitness UK bootcamp, run by the daughter of school owner and manager Sandra Roles.
Personal trainer Charlotte, 22, puts her mum and fellow bootcampers through their paces all year round and in all weathers, helping the Forest School ethos to branch out.
“I believe that connecting with the outdoors is very important and I have instilled these values in my children,” explained Sandra.
“The bootcamp embraces the same ethos as the nursery school and many who take part are staff from Dimples and the parents of children who attend.”
It’s not just about keeping fit either. The bootcampers have formed their own fundraising team and recently took part in a gruelling climb up Britain’s highest mountain Ben Nevis and a Mud Runner six-mile obstacle race.
Sandra, 45, Charlotte, and nursery team leader Rebecca Hobdell, 24, are now preparing for a charity climb up Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, in September.
Sandra and Charlotte hope to raise £1,500 for Guy’s and St Thomas’s hospitals Cutaneous Lymphoma Fund in memory of Sandra’s mum, Val, who worked as a cook at the nursery when it opened in 2002. Sadly she died from a rare type of lymphoma three years ago.
Rebecca will be raising money for research into motor neurone disease in memory of her grandad.
Sandra, who lives in Hartley, is sure that the twice-weekly bootcamp sessions are giving them the kick to spur them on.
“The team work, team spirit and the camaraderie is fantastic and everyone is motivated by Charlotte’s enthusiasm and drive,” she said.
To find out more go to www.justgiving.com/sandra-roles or www.facebook.com/pages/Fusion-Fitness-UK/406789029415349?ref=stream&hc_location=timeline.
To sponsor Rebecca go to www.virginmoneygiving.com/RebeccaHobdell13