Ely Nursery Swaps Storytime for Summits to Support Children’s Hospice
While most early years educators are busy managing sandpits, snack time and storybooks, a team from Cathedral View Childcare in Ely is preparing for a very different kind of challenge: climbing three of Wales’ highest peaks in just 24 hours.
The team will be taking on the Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge on the weekend of 5–6 July 2025, to raise money for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) – a charity that provides life-changing support to children and families facing the unimaginable.
The challenge will see 10 staff members scaling Pen y Fan, Cadair Idris, and Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), covering around 17 miles of mountain terrain and climbing over 7,600 feet. It’s a huge physical test—especially for a group more familiar with the gentle terrain of the Cambridgeshire Fens.
“Most of us spend our days at floor level, building towers out of blocks or chasing toddlers around the garden,” Hayley Pierson, Nursery Owner and Manager said. “Climbing mountains is about as far from our day jobs as it gets—but we wanted to do something meaningful, something that would make a difference to children beyond our nursery walls.”
Cathedral View Childcare has been a trusted part of the Ely community for many years, offering high-quality early years education to children aged 0–5. The setting is built on the belief that every child deserves to thrive, regardless of the challenges they face. It’s a value that closely aligns with the mission of EACH, which supports children and young people with life-threatening conditions and provides holistic care for their families.
“We’re passionate about giving children the best start in life,” the team said. “EACH ensures that families going through the toughest times are not alone. Their work is incredible, and we’re proud to support them.”
The idea began as a personal fitness challenge for some staff members, but quickly turned into a team effort to fundraise and raise awareness for EACH. So far, the group has raised over £800 in just a few days, and is aiming to raise significantly more with the support of the local community.
Donations can be made through their JustGiving page:
www.justgiving.com/page/cvcwelsh3peakschallenge
Support from parents, local businesses, and residents has already started to build momentum. Cathedral View hopes the challenge will also help raise awareness of both the work of EACH and the vital role early years educators play in supporting the wellbeing of children in their communities.
“It’s not just about the climb—it’s about carrying the message that children deserve support, dignity, and care, whether that’s in a nursery setting or a hospice,” the team added.
The group have begun training (as much as the Fenland landscape allows) and preparing for everything from weather conditions to midnight climbs. They’ll be travelling to Wales this summer, full of determination, and probably a fair few plasters and protein bars.
