Little Steps Day Nursery sponsors free soft play bus at Aim High Festival

A popular local nursery has stepped forward to help bring free family fun to the community by sponsoring a full soft play bus at the inaugural Aim High Festival, taking place on Saturday 19th September 2026 from 12pm until 8pm in Higham Ferrers.

Little Steps Day Nursery, based in Higham Ferrers, has become one of the first major sponsors of the community festival, funding a dedicated soft play bus that will be available free of charge to children attending the event.

The festival is being organised by local charity Ailsa's Aim, a Northamptonshire-based charity that supports cancer patients, neonatal families and individuals facing challenging circumstances across the UK.

Last year alone, the charity distributed more than 17,000 care packs, alongside providing free radar keys, wellbeing activities, holidays for beneficiaries and practical support to families in need.

Aim High Festival has been designed to bring the community together during challenging economic times whilst also serving as both a major fundraiser and awareness campaign for Ailsa's Aim. Organisers are aiming to raise £30,000 through sponsorships, fundraising and donations to ensure the event remains completely free for the public to attend.

Visitors can look forward to an action-packed day featuring live music from local bands and performers, a main stage packed with entertainment, children's characters, a soft play bus, circus skills workshops, a cookery school, steel pan performances, sports activities, community groups, local charities, demonstrations, interactive workshops and activities designed to appeal to all ages.

The event has been created with inclusivity at its heart, ensuring that every child and family can take part regardless of their circumstances.

The only charges on the day will be from independent food vendors and craft stalls, allowing visitors to choose whether or not to spend money.

Little Steps Day Nursery has long been recognised for its commitment to supporting local families and community initiatives, making the partnership a natural fit.

Sara Whatley, founder of Ailsa's Aim, said:

"Aim High is much more than a festival. It is an opportunity to bring our community together, create memories, tackle social isolation and raise awareness of the work Ailsa's Aim carries out every day across the country. We want every child and every family to be able to enjoy a fantastic day out without worrying about the cost.

Little Steps was one of the first organisations we thought of when looking for a sponsor for the soft play bus. They have always been passionate about supporting local children and families, and their values align perfectly with what Aim High is trying to achieve. We are incredibly grateful for their support and know that hundreds of children will enjoy the soft play bus because of their generosity."

Jenny Woolston, Manager at Little Steps Day Nursery, said:

"At Little Steps, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to play, learn and create happy memories. When we heard about Aim High and its commitment to providing a completely free festival for families, we knew it was something we wanted to support.

Community is incredibly important to us. We work with local families every day and understand how valuable accessible events can be, particularly at a time when many families are facing financial pressures. The festival is inclusive, welcoming and focused on bringing people together, which reflects many of the values we hold as a nursery.

We are delighted to sponsor the soft play bus and cannot wait to see the smiles on children's faces when they enjoy it on the day."

Aim High Festival is open to everyone from Higham Ferrers and the surrounding areas, with organisers hoping the event will help tackle social isolation, strengthen community connections and provide a memorable day out for families of all backgrounds, while also helping raise vital funds to allow Ailsa's Aim to continue supporting thousands of beneficiaries each year.

With sponsorships continuing to come in and excitement building across the town, organisers say the support from local businesses has been overwhelming.

For more information about Aim High Festival, sponsorship opportunities or volunteering, contact Ailsa's Aim at [email protected].