Nannies go for pedal power

Nannies made a push for Childline's 20th anniversary on 3 April when a local nanny circle led a Pedal Push fundraiser in Dulwich Park, London. The event's organiser, Fiona Star-Stone - who was one of four finalists in last October's Professional Nanny of the Year awards - recruited fellow nannies Nicola Watson, Monique Sturch, Lee Distacio and Jo Smith to cheer their charges on laps around the park and played recordings of appropriate songs like Queen's 'Bicycle' to keep up the momentum. 'I was really pleased with the turn-out and the children loved riding around to music,' said Fiona. 'It attracted lots of attention in the park, with other children joining in and being given balloons for their efforts.' They raised 300 for ChildLine. 'The charity doesn't receive any money from lottery funding or the government, so events like these are the only way of raising cash. It's really about children helping children.' To find out how to organise your own pedal push or event, see the fundraising section on www.childline.org.uk.