Fundraising paves way for Poolewe play area
Issued by ROK
Pupils and parents at a Highland primary school have been fundraising for months to pay for a new play area thanks to the intervention of one of the country’s leading building companies.
Poolewe Primary school in Ross-shire needed a new playhouse and slide and the student council raised funds for the equipment. However, the equipment chosen did not meet the essential health and safety standards which have to be implemented by Highland Council. This meant staff at the school had to commit vital budget funds to pay for equipment which was much more expensive than the original items would have been.
Cluster Head for Poolewe and Gairloch Primary, Margaret Young said: “We decided to support the children in their efforts and get the playhouse and slide which met all of the required standards. However, to do this we had to cut back on other resources. Then we started asking parents and people in the community about who could help us with fundraising as we needed the correct play area built where we could place the equipment.
“A parent who also works for builders Rok suggested they might be able to help and they did, even agreeing to put in a stepping stone path from the slide area to the house area. Without Rok’s help we were facing lots of extra fundraising and probably at least an extra 6-12 months wait before we could actually afford to pay for the playhouse and slide to be in place and the children could use it. The company who provided the slide got the dimensions for the area wrong. When the lorry arrived with the play equipment and saw the mistake they were ready to turn round and take the whole lot south again. In desperation we called Rok who came to the rescue on the day and helped modify the area so that the play equipment could go in. They also kindly provided all the play safe bark for the area so that the children are playing on the equipment now. All of the staff, parents and children are extremely pleased with the work and grateful to Rok for enabling the project to go ahead so quickly.”
Ian Phillips, Area Leader with Rok Civil Engineering said: “We supplied three men, materials and plant equipment for the project. We saved the school in excess of £3000 and completed the job in a week. When we heard of all the hard work the pupils had put into raising funds for their equipment we were only too glad to help. It’s probably saved the school a year of fundraising and the kids are now safely enjoying the new playhouse and slide so we’re very pleased with the outcome.”
Local Councillor, Richard Green said: “I am delighted that Rok have stepped in to support the Play Area project at Poolewe Primary School. In the present challenging financial climate such acts of community benefit by the Company and its workforce must be applauded. Their action will ensure the children can continue to play in a safe and pleasant environment.”
Rok are also helping us to attach a new water butt to collect rainwater and have helped install a flag pole which was needed at the school.