RECORD BREAKING CHRISTMAS BAZAAR FOR WALTON-ON-THAMES SCHOOL A climbing frame is on the shopping list at Ashley C of E Primary School, Walton-on-Thames, after the Friends of Ashley (FOA), the school’s Parent Teacher Association, rallied parents and staff together to raise a record breaking £11,500 at last year’s Christmas Bazaar.

A giant cheque was handed over to the school by Sharon Moat and Lindsey Blake (FOA Co-Chairs) and will be spent on a Tangle Tree Climber with the long-term plan of creating an exciting and meaningful outdoor play area by September 2018.

Sharon Moat and Lindsey Blake, FOA Co-Chairs, said: “This year, we wanted the money we raised to go to a specific item – something tangible to show what the money raised at the Christmas Bazaar has been spent on. We are so grateful for the parental help and contributions we received and are delighted to be able to provide this equipment for the school.”

Richard Dunne, Headmaster, added, “At Ashley, we work together with parents and staff for the benefit of the children. We are thrilled to be presented with this cheque by the FOA and would like to thank everyone involved for raising much needed supplementary revenue for the school. This fantastic new sustainable play equipment has been chosen to help our children develop both physically and socially as they move through the school in a way that supports health and fitness.”

Work has already begun on the Tangle Tree Climber. Please visit this section of the school website for further information: http://www.ashleyschool.org.uk/learning/the-play-project Additional information: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/25/three-quarters-of-uk-children-spend-less-time-outdoors-than-prison-inmates-survey https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/feb/10/concerns-raised-over-amount-of-children-not-engaging-with-nature

Article supplied by Helen Bedford