Get your under 5s ready for some serious summer fun!

Want to do your bit for charity and get the kids exercising in the fresh air? Try the Barnardo’s Big Toddle a fun little walk for little children.

This annual half-mile sponsored walk for under 5s saw almost 400,000 toddlers register in 2007. In the end, they raised almost £1.5 million for Barnardo’s work with disadvantaged children and their families.

The Big Toddle is easy and flexible. There are Toddles organised by Barnardo’s at exciting venues throughout the UK during the summer. It has also become popular for nurseries and pre-schools to host their own events – they can keep 25% of funds raised, helping them buy much needed equipment and materials.

Funds raised via the Big Toddle will help children like five year old Shaheeda who had extensive surgery for a brain tumour after birth. This left her with impaired sight and a slight learning difficulty. Shaheeda’s mother, suffering from poor health herself, was finding it difficult to cope. Her local Barnardo’s project provided a babysitter to look after Shaheeda and her siblings when their mum went to hospital.

Shaheeda also started attending a Barnardo’s playscheme that made her more confident and brought out her bubbly personality. And her sight is returning too. Shaheeda’s mum says, “It helps so much to know there is someone out there to help.”

Taking part in the Big Toddle is a great way of teaching children about those less fortunate. This year we hope to see more Toddlers than ever joining in, having fun and helping us to raise vital funds for vulnerable children across the UK. Join us!

For more information on Barnardo’s Big Toddle and how to arrange your own event, visit www.bigtoddle.co.uk or call 0845 270 9900.