St. Andrew's parent helps turn new playground plans into reality

01/12/2010

Pupils from St Andrew's School in Over Hulton, Bolton are celebrating thanks to a supportive mum who is making a generous donation to the playground fund as part of Yorkshire Bank's Staff Volunteer Grant Programme.

Janis Horrocks, 43, from Bolton applied for a Staff Volunteer Grant from Yorkshire Bank earlier this year to provide much needed funds for St Andrew's Parent Teacher Association (PTA) who have been raising money for new outdoor play equipment for the school's infant and junior playgrounds.

Janis, who works at Yorkshire Bank's Financial Solutions Centre in Bolton has two children, Ben, a former pupil at St. Andrews and Faye who is currently in Year Two at the school. She felt the playground project was deserving of a Yorkshire Bank grant of £500.

Pupils on the School Council, along with a selection of parents have been contributing to the design of the new playgrounds and Janis' grant will go towards football and netball goals, magnetic wall games and sheltered seating areas which are set to be installed in the Spring.

Janis' donation to the school is part of Yorkshire Bank's Staff Volunteer Grant Programme, which helps fund charitable initiatives that its employees are passionate about. Employees can apply for a grant of up to £500 if they are involved with local community groups in their own time. This includes local charities or not-for-profit organisations such as schools, brownies, scouts or sports groups. The money helps the groups continue their work in the local community.

Janis said: "St. Andrew's school has been a part of my life for a number of years and I'm delighted to be able to contribute my Yorkshire Bank Staff Volunteer Grant to something which will benefit children and parents alike both now and long after my own children have finished at the school."

"I would definitely encourage other employees up and down the country to apply for the grant to contribute to their own valuable community projects."

St. Andrew's head teacher Liz Rogerson said: "The school and PTA have worked exceptionally hard fundraising for new play equipment and we are delighted to receive this extra money from Yorkshire Bank."

"It's great that employees are actively encouraged to contribute to their local communities and I am confident the donation the will make a huge difference to the school and help the children to be more active at playtimes."

The staff grants are provided through the Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank Foundation, a registered charity established by the Banks in 2008.