Hungry West Sussex mice ruin thousands of pounds of preschool equipment

Staff returning to St Andrew’s Preschool in Burgess Hill on September 1 were shocked to discover a gang of mice had decided to make a temporary home in the school’s main equipment storage area.

Manager Sarah John said staff spent four long days clearing away supplies which had been eaten or soiled by the ravenous rodents.

She added: “St Andrew’s had lost over £17,000 pounds worth of equipment, materials and supplies.

“We were just heartbroken.”

The mice munched through electrical equipment, dressing up outfits and even the school’s nativity section, Sarah said. The school is expected to be around £25,000 out of pocket once skip hire and staffing costs are taken into account.

She added: “The school have jumped into action and spent all currently available funds on replacing some of the lost items but sadly this is nowhere near enough to provide the consistently excellent standard and variety of care, education and fun that the children would normally be provided with.

“We are hoping to raise £15,000 over the next two months to help fill the shortfall created by these very unfortunate circumstances. Any amount of money you can contribute, no matter how small you may think it is, will go directly to improving the education, development and enjoyment of many children from all walks of life.”

More than £1,300 has already been donated to the school’s fundraiser.

Sarah said: “We’re really grateful.”

To donate to the fundraiser see https://uk.gofundme.com/f/smyrg-st-andrews-preschool