There were bright smiles all round this week as the head teacher and children from Millstead school in Everton paid a visit to thank the staff and locals from the Farmers Arms In Liverpool for raising the funds for an adventure playground for them.

The Farmers Arms, along with 613 other pubs and bars owned by Stonegate Pub Company, have raised £300,000 for Variety through its challenge ‘Britain’s Biggest Pub Tour’ which ran throughout the summer. Part of the funds will be donated to Millstead School to build a brand new adventure playground for 105 pupils.

The school, which relocated to new premises this school year, caters for children with a statement of special educational needs. Many of the pupils have either severe or profound learning difficulties along with a wide range of additional needs including Autistic Spectrum difficulties, severe sensory impairments, physical impairments including cerebral palsy and profound health needs.

Features in the new playground, work on which commences during half-term week, will include a climbing wall, monkey bars, castle themed walkway with hiding spaces, low-level balance bars and sand pits.

Michelle Beard – Head teacher commented;

“The aim of this project is to allow children and young people with and without physical disabilities access to a safe, secure and fully accessible environment. The fully accessible, inclusive outdoor adventure play areas will include; challenging climbing equipment, climbing walls, swings, multi height play equipment, sunken trampolines and specific sensory areas.

Having these facilities will allow us to host a range of activities for our children and community groups; it will also give us scope to invite other pupils with special education needs & disabilities within the City of Liverpool and neighbouring boroughs to share these facilities giving all the opportunity to thrive”

The visit to ‘The Farmers Arms’ was supported by Suzanne Kinsella, Margaret Roberts and Tony Harris from Variety’s Merseyside Committee. Special guest Jo Birchall performed her charity single ‘All About Love’ for the children and visitors, which included Stonegate’s Chairman Ian Payne.

The single is available to download on iTunes here.

To find out how Stonegate Pub Company is helping Variety contact: colleen.ettridge@variety.org.uk