Helping hand for Toybox
JUST days after the Evening Star reported the problems faced by an Ipswich nursery a county councillor has stepped in to help.Supervisors at the Toybox Pre-School have been forced to deal with the daily remnants of drug abuse.
JUST days after the Evening Star reported the problems faced by an Ipswich nursery a county councillor has stepped in to help.
Supervisors at the Toybox Pre-School have been forced to deal with the daily remnants of drug abuse.
Hypodermic needles are scattered about the garages next to the pre-school and playgroup officials have had to clear up the mess before the youngsters arrive.
Today, councillor Kevan Lim has vowed to give £250 of his locality budget to improve security measures at the nursery which has suffered three break-ins in just three weeks.
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Mr Lim said: "I was aware of the problem with the garages before the article and had the police around there a couple of months ago.
"I am aware of drug activity in that part of town and drug dealing in the Handford Road area.
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"I have agreed to give £250 from my locality budget for security measures to help try to make sure the nursery is secure."
Mr Lim has also been discussing proposals to demolish the garages with Ipswich Borough Council.
He said: "The old tenants were given notice to quit by the end of December which is why the garages are vacant.
"They are going to be demolished and I am waiting to hear when."
For staff at the Toybox Pre-School this news is long over due.
Manager Sandra Baker said: "We understood the garages were being demolished and it would be done by January but the latest we have heard is by March."
Mr Lim believes that the demolition of the garages combined with added security measures will go some way in combating the problem.
He was not the only person moved to take action by Monday's article.
Mrs Baker added: "We have had a couple of other callers I don't know who the people were but we really appreciate it.
"They wanted to know where to send a donation.
"We will use the money to get a really good security system but we desperately need more money.
"We have got our insurance money now but are still £800 down because of excess payments."
Anyone wishing to help the nursery should contact Mrs Baker on 07808 656211.
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