Brian's £1,000 donation to vandalised Preston school

After vandals ransacked a Preston school for children with learning difficulties, a former student has come to the rescue.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd May 2016, 11:17 BST
Updated 23rd May 2016, 12:21 BST
Owner of Preston's European Fine Arts & Antiques Ltd, Brian Beck, with a wine cooler from the old TSB bank on Church Street, Preston. The cooler is thought to be from Lord Nelson's flagship HMS FoudroyantOwner of Preston's European Fine Arts & Antiques Ltd, Brian Beck, with a wine cooler from the old TSB bank on Church Street, Preston. The cooler is thought to be from Lord Nelson's flagship HMS Foudroyant
Owner of Preston's European Fine Arts & Antiques Ltd, Brian Beck, with a wine cooler from the old TSB bank on Church Street, Preston. The cooler is thought to be from Lord Nelson's flagship HMS Foudroyant

Brian Beck attended the Acorns Primary School in the 1950s under its old name the Open Air School and says the LEP’s story on the vandalism made him want to do something to help.

Windows, sheds, toys and the Moor Park school’s roof were all damaged by the yobs and Brian hopes that by donating £1,000, Acorns can help defend itself against further attacks.

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The owner of European Fine Arts and Antiques Ltd, on Cannon Street, says he couldn’t believe what he’d read in the Evening Post, labelling it “mindless behaviour”.

Acorns Primary School have been suffering from vandals attacking the school over recent months. Pictured is headteacher Gail Beaton.Acorns Primary School have been suffering from vandals attacking the school over recent months. Pictured is headteacher Gail Beaton.
Acorns Primary School have been suffering from vandals attacking the school over recent months. Pictured is headteacher Gail Beaton.

“Although it was under a different name it still did most of the same things and I know the good work the school does,” Brian said. “They’re making the children and the staff suffer and smashed apart the school’s property for no reason.

“However old these vandals are they’ve not grown-ups, they’ve got absolutely no respect. I just wanted to be able to help get them back on track and to give something back to the place that did so much for me.”

The school, off Blackpool Road, provides children with learning difficulties with specialist high-level education up to 11 years old and police are still investigating who caused the damage.

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They say the incident took place between 6pm on May 17 and 7.30am on May 18 and admit it isn’t the first time the yobs have targeted the school.

Acorns Primary School have been suffering from vandals attacking the school over recent months. Pictured is pupil Daniel Baron, aged 8 with headteacher Gail Beaton.Acorns Primary School have been suffering from vandals attacking the school over recent months. Pictured is pupil Daniel Baron, aged 8 with headteacher Gail Beaton.
Acorns Primary School have been suffering from vandals attacking the school over recent months. Pictured is pupil Daniel Baron, aged 8 with headteacher Gail Beaton.

And headteacher Gail Beaton says she can’t thank Brian enough for the “amazing” offer and says it will go towards upping security at the school.

She said: “We want to make the school less attractive to vandals and this money will help us do that. It’s an amazing offer and we’re so grateful.”

Brian says he will do an official handover of the money next month when he returns from holiday.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “We are still appealing for information on the incident and if you can help, call 101 quoting crime reference SA1606504.”

Related topics:PrestonLEP