Glasgow dad in bid to help Arden's Jimmy Dunnachie nursery after receiving critical support

Between 2017 and 2019, Oluwole Shokunbi and his wife spent almost every day in the hospital caring for their baby son Praise, who was born with underdeveloped lungs, before he tragically died. 

Following an accident, baby Praise was also left completely paralysed, meaning he required constant care at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Queen Elizabeth hospital.

The parents, based in Greater Pollok, were as a result left unable to cater to their daughter Faith, who was three at the time. 

Oluwole is appealing for funding for the Glasgow nursery's garden upgrade.

The Jimmy Dunnachie Family Learning Centre, in Arden, stepped in giving Faith a space at its nursery with extended hours - for free. 

Now, Oluwole, originally from Nigeria, is hoping to repay the school by helping to raise funds for an upgrade of its Willow Garden.

He said: “What they did is unquantifiable.

“It was at a time when my family and I were going through a very very difficult time.

“The condition of our son was such that my wife and I had to be in the hospital every day. It was very stressful, we just couldn’t take Faith with us.”

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Oluwole, who works as a lecturer at the University of Worcester, had pleaded with the nursery his daughter was attending at the time to let her attend for extra hours, but they were unable to help.

When staff at the Jimmy Dunnachie centre heard the family’s story, they reached out to offer support. 

“It meant a lot to us,” added Oluwole. “It would have been thousands of pounds.

“We’ll be forever grateful for what Jimmy Dunnachie have done for us, even though we lost our son.

“They gave Faith the solid, quality foundation she needed and we can see her thriving now, she will be in P4 by September.

“It’s a great thing they did for us and we will never forget it.”

The Jimmy Dunnachie Family Learning Centre in Glasgow supported Oluwole's family during a difficult time

Oluwole is now raising awareness on social media, for people to vote for the Jimmy Dunnachie cause in Tesco stores across Glasgow. 

“If you are at a Tesco shop where the voting is taking place, please put a token towards the Willow Garden upgrade,” he added. “It’s a great thing that they are doing.”

Head of the Centre Yvonne Graham said: “We are overwhelmed and very grateful at the generosity and thoughtfulness of Oluwole in supporting us to secure funding for the children of the nursery. 

“The nursery were more than happy to support the whole family during their time spent with us and wish them every happiness for the future.”

Ms Graham added: “The Willow Garden is a very valuable resource for the nursery to use and we want the children to have the best possible experiences. 

“The children benefit from fresh air and outdoor play that otherwise they may not have access to. 

“They have the freedom to play in a safe and exciting environment but we need the additional resources to make this dream a reality.”

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Plans for the garden include a wilding area, sensory garden, mud kitchen, and growing produce.

Voting is open and will end on March 31.

Votes can be cast through the blue tokens at the following Tesco stores: Glasgow Silverburn Extra, Crookston Road Metro, Kilmarnock Road Metro, Cardonald Express, Victoria Road Express, Paisley Road Express, Millbrae Road Express, Cathcart Road Express.