PRIMARY schoolchildren are celebrating after repairs were made to their popular outdoor adventure trail.
Youngsters at Antrobus St Mark's CE Primary School had often enjoyed playing on the barefoot trail, before it had to close after falling into a state of disrepair.
But, thanks to a £1,800 donation from waste company Viridor, the trail – which opened in 2018 – was able to be renovated.
Rhian Perry, the 73-strong school's executive head teacher, was grateful for the donation to the trail, which has now reopened and is being enjoyed by pupils again.
She said: “Barefoot play plays a key role in physical, cognitive and sensory development, and we try to integrate this alongside outdoor learning wherever possible.
"We wouldn’t have been able to reopen this trail without Viridor’s donation and this generosity will have a lasting impact on our pupils for years to come."
The trail – one of the first of its kind in the North West – is made up of various sensory areas, ranging from pebbled walkways and decking to streams and sandpits, and is designed to be walked by children barefoot.
After more than five years of use, the outdoor trail sadly fell into disrepair and closed in early 2023.
Antrobus St Mark's pupils with executive head teacher Rhian Perry, left, and Viridor business support coordinator Beth Whittaker, right (Image: Supplied)
Viridor, which operates the nearby Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) at Runcorn, used its WeShare Community Fund to pay for the repair project.
Beth Whittaker, business support coordinator at Viridor Runcorn ERF and auntie to pupils Leo and Annabelle, nominated the school for the funding.
She said: "It’s great news our WeShare donation has helped the school reopen its barefoot adventure trail.
"I’ve heard first-hand how much this trail is enjoyed by the children so we’re really pleased that we can support it.
"I look forward to hearing many more happy stories and seeing more children benefit from this area in the future."
Viridor’s WeShare Community Fund launched in late 2023 and represents an annual £300,000 fund which is allocated to projects across the country with a focus on community, involvement, education and sustainability.
To find out more about the We Share Community Fund, including eligibility criteria and how to access application forms, please email info@runcornccs.com or call 0800 860 6264.
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