Bringing sunshine to the young (From Gazette Series)

Bringing sunshine to the young

TODDLERS in Thornbury were able to enjoy the sunshine this week, thanks to a grant from the Gannett Foundation - the charitable arm of Newsquest, publishers of the Gazette.

Children who attend Severnside Opportunity Group's Monday session have, until now, had to play indoors even when temperatures have soared to record-breaking highs.

Now though, with a grant of £3,500, the children, all of whom have special educational needs, can enjoy the outdoors in safety. The money has been spent on erecting a metal fence to close in an area of land next to St Mary's Church Hall, Eastbury Road, where the children, their siblings and their parents meet.

Chairman of the hall's steering committee Mike Spiller said, however, that the land is not fenced off to everybody else. He explained: "It is a facility for mums and toddlers and is a point of safety for those who use it. But it is important that people in the community do not see the land as being fenced off to them."

Severnside Opportunity Group provides care for up to 24 children with special needs, from new-borns to eight-year-olds, and support for their parents.

Play-leader Janet Constable said the donation was "fantastic" and would benefit the whole community, not just those at the pre-school. She said: "The children have certain needs and we could not cater for them without this fencing. This is fantastic - we would never have been able to afford the fencing otherwise."

The hall can be hired out to groups and organisations in the Thornbury area and this addition to the facilities is expected to increase bookings and provide an enclosed play area for any youngsters in the town.

On Monday Gazette editor David Cullimore presented the Gannett Foundation cheque to treasurer of the opportunity group Steph Staton, who applied for the grant.

Groups and organisations can apply for grants twice a year, with the nexty opportunity in the autumn. This spring nearly 40 groups applied from the Gazette area, with two successful.