A SCHOOL in Boscombe has launched a £60,000 fund-raising appeal to raise much-needed cash to improve its playground.

Bethany CE Junior School would like to buy an all-weather surface for the playground so the children can use it in the winter months.

At the moment half the playground is covered in bark with trees and shrubs. When it rains, the peat beneath the bark seeps into the playground leaving a quagmire.

But the cost of a decent, all-weather surface will be in excess of £60,000.

Fund-raising for the playground appeal has been kicked off by lunchtime supervisor Mary Higgins, who has so far raised £2,500 for the appeal with a sponsored swim and raffle.

The appeal to improve the playground has become vitally important as next year part of the playground will be lost to building work.

The school in Knole Road was recently awarded £1.4 million in government funding under the Target Capital Funding scheme towards improving the school building. This work is expected to get under way next summer.

Jenny Powell, acting head teacher, said: "It is going to give them opportunities to play co-operatively together.

"Everybody knows a lot of today's children cannot play games and we would use the opportunity to teach them games at playtime and have lots of physical activity in their break times, which is good for their health.

"If a company would like to sponsor it we would be more than happy to make sure we would advertise for them."

Jayne Butler, pupil and family support worker, spoke of the importance of playtime.

"We have a lot of social problems in the area. Some children do have behaviour problems or anger management problems and we need to make the space so these children can enjoy play time, socialise with each other and have their own space."

Anyone interested in donating money to the school can call 01202 302406.

First published: Sept 30