Help us fund new play equipment for our youngest students
We calling on the community for help to fund new play equipment for our youngest pupils at Portfield School.
Our reception age class, Stepping Stones, has been without a climbing frame since October half term, when the previous equipment was removed after falling into disrepair.
Our appeal aims to raise £25,582 and will fund a better playground for existing pupils, and the many children who will join Stepping Stones Class in the future.
Anna Hewitt, Headteacher at Portfield School said: “Play equipment is important for all children in terms of keeping them fit, agile and helping them to form relationships with other children. For autistic children it can also play a vital part in supporting their focus, decreasing stress, and helping them to regulate emotions leading to reduced stress, anxiety and frustration.”
She continued: “Some of our children at Portfield School have sensory challenges, alternative communication methods and need an outside play area to support a whole approach to learning. In my experience, play helps autistic children to engage with the world, make sense of their surroundings, and acquire new knowledge and experiences, and I see their time in the playground being a vital and much treasured part of their day.
“The last climbing frame was donated to the school nearly a decade ago and had become unfit for purpose. Now, we have a big space where it once stood, and the children understandably miss it. To reach our target of ££25,582, we need the support of our community to donate, fundraise and spread awareness of our appeal.”
We are asking businesses and individuals to support the appeal in any way you can, including by direct donation or through a fundraising event.
Siún Cranny, Autism Unlimited CEO added, “We are so grateful for anything the community can do to support our appeal. Local people and businesses can make a huge difference to local children. With their help we can provide the best equipment and opportunity for our current students, as well as autistic children from across the region for many years to come.”
How you can help to raise the money we need:
- Make a donation and ask three friends to donate too instead of giving Christmas presents on our JustGiving page
- Share the appeal with your friends, family and colleagues
- Speak to your workplace about how they can support
For more information and to donate, please get in touch with Carol Borwick via email on: fundraising@autism-unlimited.org, or give the team a call on: 01202 483360.
