£10,000 Tyne Tunnels donation helps South Shields school pupils get more active
South Shields school children are enjoying new outdoor play equipment thanks to support from the Tyne Tunnels operator.
Children at a South Shields school are getting more active after TT2 answered a plea for help.
Teachers at Forest View Primary School, on Rembrandt Avenue, were growing concerned about low activity levels, rising obesity and development delays in core motor skills amongst its pupil.
They reached out to TT2, the operator of the Tyne Tunnels, for help in purchasing outdoor play equipment and as a result, the Tyne Tunnels Community Fund donated £10,000 towards new playground climbing facilities for Early Years and Key Stage 2 pupils.
‘We are delighted’
TT2 also donated 20 refurbished bikes through the Re-Circulate project to help with active travel outside of a school setting.
Shaun Simmons, COO at TT2, commented: “As well as having no outdoor play facilities for their youngest and oldest students, they also told us about the struggles their families face around accessing physical activity outside of school and active travel.
“Fortunately, we were able to help with this as well - by providing them with refurbished bicycles.
“We are delighted to support Forest View Primary School.
“From creating exciting outdoor play opportunities and supporting breakfast provision to enabling access to bicycles through the Re-Circulate project - these investments are all about helping young people thrive and strengthening our wider community.”
‘A huge difference to our children’
The two new sets of playground equipment, which cost a total of £25,000, have already been installed and are being enjoyed by pupils at the school.
Emma Cook, Headteacher at Forest View Primary School, said: “Despite us actively promoting physical activity, many of our children are unfortunately not active enough. Increasing numbers of our early years children are also arriving with underdeveloped motor skills.
“Our Early Years and Key Stage 2 pupils didn’t have any outdoor climbing equipment after a previous trim trail had deteriorated beyond repair.
“We managed to raise some money towards new play facilities but our school serves an area of high deprivation so fundraising can be particularly challenging.
“We are very grateful to TT2 for their ongoing support. The new play equipment, the bikes and the funded breakfasts make a huge difference to our children, their health and wellbeing.”