A volunteer in Kirkby Stephen got a loving musical send off on Tuesday, surrounded by happy youngsters, parents and grandparents.
Jan Donaldson, of Waitby, has been voluntarily involved in Little Songbirds, a weekly toddlers get together in Kirkby Stephen, which has gone from strength to strength under her supervision.
It started life around 10 years ago with support from Kirkby Stephen Community Arts.
With the group originally meeting at the parish church in the town, and then latterly at the Upper Eden Rugby Club, Jan stepped forward into a leadership role eight years ago to help keep it going.
Attendees have a great deal of fun every week, enjoying special sing-songs together while also introducing youngsters to music and instruments.
Meanwhile, special times of the year such as Easter, Christmas, Hallowe’en, the jubilee or even King Charles’ coronation, have never been ones to miss due to Jan’s dedication to coming up with a fun time.
But sadly, all good things come to an end and Jan, a former teaching assistant at Kirkby Stephen Primary School, is now stepping back.
The group did not want to let her go without saying thank you, and her departure coincided with the group’s end-of-term Teddy Bear’s picnic, where she received special gifts, including handprints of all the children, and many good wishes.
Fellow volunteer Margaret Harris, of Winton, is one of a whole group of helpers who make Little Songbirds a community success, having started off taking her own grandchildren along. Margaret praised Jan, saying: “She has put absolutely everything into it and has always gone above and beyond. She is always so very enthusiastic.
“We are so appreciative of everything that Jan has done.
“On Tuesday, she even got an ice cream van to come along and bought ice creams for every child, parent or grandparent who was there.”
The group, which has done great work in bringing together different generations of newborns, parents, grandparents and carers, meets every Tuesday at the rugby club between 9-30am and 11am.
