Rotary Club helps flood-hit school rebuild for future

Photo Neil Cross
Headteacher Michelle Southern with Erin and Joshua and Rotary club members Roger Mason and Arthur Jones surveying the flood damage at Kirkland and Catterall Saint Helen's Church of England School, Churchtown — Photo Neil Cross Headteacher Michelle Southern with Erin and Joshua and Rotary club members Roger Mason and Arthur Jones surveying the flood damage at Kirkland and Catterall Saint Helen's Church of England School, Churchtown

Garstang and Over Wyre Rotary Club came to the aid of Kirkland and Catterall Primary School and handed over a cheque for £9,300.

The school was badly affected by the December floods and work is still ongoing to repair the school although some of the work wasn’t covered by insurance.

But now the donation will help replace the school’s trim trail as well as going towards new books and tidying the flower beds.

Michelle Southern said: “The school governors, myself, the children and their parents are most grateful for the generosity displayed by Rotary. It is a big help to us to be able to re-establish all the facilities which make our school such an attractive place in which to learn for the future.”

The school was forced to close on Monday, December 7, for three days, after being under two feet of water. Children were then taught using facilities at Garstang High School as the school began its clean up operation.

Work on rebuilding the beds will start as soon as possible for planting to begin early in the summer term.

Work on the trail will begin during the schools’ Easter holidays.

On behalf of Rotary, Roger Mason said: “We are delighted at being able to help the school, which is such an important part of our local community. A large part of our local Christmas collection is going towards flood relief. We have also had direct donations from our colleagues in the Accrington Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Princess Risborough.

“We have received donations from many Rotary Clubs across the UK and Ireland.”