PD Ports donates £2,500 to school’s play area redevelopment

A port operator has helped a primary school take its vision for a new play area one step closer to reality after supporting a fundraising drive.

PD Ports has donated £2,500 to St Margaret Clitherow’s Catholic Voluntary Academy.

The money means the school, based in South Bank, Middlesbrough, has now raised around half of a £15,000-plus target to give students a new play area, which will replace an existing structure deemed no longer safe to use.

Caroline Carsley, a PD Ports worker whose daughter attends the school, applied to the company to access its ‘Find It, Fund It’ scheme to help with the redevelopment.

She said: “Walking my daughter to school I noticed the play castle was closed off to the children.

“On speaking with the school, I was introduced to the school council, a group of amazing children – elected by their peers – who had made it their mission to raise funds to renew this play area.

“They shared their ideas and while some will shortly move on to senior school, they described wanting to leave a legacy for future pupils to enjoy.

“This resonated with me as PD Ports very much looks to the future and progression for the next generation of employees.

“St Margaret is in the heart of the community that includes PD Ports’ Teesport operation, and, as an ex-pupil with a daughter currently attending the school, I am immensely proud to work for a company that recognises the needs of the local community and provides support to make a positive difference through a dedicated scheme.”

Kirsten Donkin, head of PR, marketing and communications at PD Ports, added: “Our donation is a valuable way to help the school and its children throughout the vital early years’ development.

“This new play area will deliver benefits far beyond educational needs.”

In addition to the financial contribution made by PD Ports, the company’s civil engineering team volunteered their time to dismantle the old structure, ensuring the funds raised could be used to replace it, rather than needing to cover removal costs too.