Hope for Life Transformation with £120,000 Playground

A charity dedicated to supporting disabled individuals and their families has successfully raised 120,000 to create an accessible playground. The new sensory play area will be built at Northern Counties School in Jesmond, Newcastle, offering a space for children of all abilities to play and learn together.

The playground will feature wheelchair-accessible roundabouts and swings, various sensory tools, and a water feature to honor students who have passed away. Funding comes from the Percy Hedley Foundation, which operates the school, alongside contributions from local businesses.

John Preston, CEO of the charity, stated that the playground is expected to have a "transformational impact for our students." Significant contributions included a 30,000 grant from the Sir James Knott Trust, match-funded by Newcastle law firm Winn Group, and a 20,000 grant from the Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust. Additional funds were raised through Percy Hedley's Reach for the Stars ball last month.

Events such as our recent ball are only possible because of the generosity and support of our community, Mr Preston said. This year is especially meaningful as we have now raised enough to construct a sensory play area that every pupil can enjoy, promoting social interaction and independence.

The charity announced that plans to start construction on the playground will be shared soon.

Author: Sophia Brooks