School campus gets outdoor gym area

It has been an on-going project for about a year, and it all began when students visited other schools to play matches where they would run off the bus and onto that school’s external gym equipment as a warm up.

It was then seen as a worthy venture to improve the fitness, health and well-being of the students (and staff) at the Ruskington Campus, explained vice-principal and Head of Campus, Claire Adams.

The Ruskington St George’s ‘Friends’ (PTA) has held various events in order to raise money for the venture. They held a race night, a fashion show, run raffles and held various musical concerts. However, a real boost came from community funding.

Mrs Adams said: “We bagged £1,000 from the carrier bag charge fund through the Tesco Bags of Help funding. www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp

Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its Bags of Help initiative in 2015.

It gives out grants of up to £5,000, raised from the 5p bag levy being awarded to local outdoor community projects.

The public voted in store last December and the St George’s project was awarded £1,000.

The school also received a contribution of £1,000 from the Medlock Charitable Trust.

Mrs Adams thanked everyone for their support: “Without this support, it would have taken a lot longer to see our dream come true. We originally set out to save up for eight pieces of gym equipment – five is a great start – we will continue to save for more.

“The equipment was installed last week, just in time for the summer term and students who face the stressful exam period. All students have now completed their Health and Safety induction during PE lessons. They are using the equipment during break and lunch times and it is proving very popular.”

One student commented: “I come to do 10 minutes in the morning before registration to wake me up and get the blood pumping and work my muscles.”