Pupils from Cardiff’s Ty Gwyn Special School are set to benefit for years to come after a kind-hearted donation from Circle IT and Princes Gate Trust has meant that a suite of outdoor gym equipment has been installed.
The school, which currently has 191 special needs pupils on its register, received the equipment after a charity ball raised over £36,000 to fund the outdoor gym.
Accessible from all classrooms at Ty Gwyn, the outdoor gym features nine stations which provide an area for physical activity to benefit pupils socially, mentally and physically.
Welcoming the installation Diane Stones, Headteacher at Ty Gwyn School, said:
“We are absolutely thrilled with the support and help we’ve had from both Circle IT and Princes Gate Trust in achieving this dream of the play equipment.
“We’ve worked together for several months to build a bespoke outdoor gym which will help all our pupils achieve their potential. For pupils at Ty Gwyn undertaking physical activity has a huge effect on both their mental and physical wellbeing whilst also helping to nurture gross motor skills. It’s fantastic that they will now have a place to go to and an outdoor environment in which to thrive.”
Cardiff-headquartered Circle IT raised the money through Princes Gate Trust at its charity ball in May.
Circle IT Chief Executive, Roger Harry, decided to help raise money for Ty Gwyn after experiencing first-hand support from the school, which his ten-year-old son, Freddie, attends. He said:
“Freddie has attended the school for many years and we know exactly how important physical activity is and the positive impact it has on his life. We are delighted that we’ve been able to fundraise and help bring the gym equipment to Ty Gwyn.
“Seeing how the children are enjoying and adapting to the new facility is wonderful and we are delighted that for many years to come, pupils at Ty Gwyn are going to get a lot of joy and benefit from it.”
Diane continued:
“We cater for pupils age 3-19 all of whom have profound and multiple learning difficulties, and many who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. This facility will help all of them, allowing them to reap the benefits of being outdoors and participating in physical activity.
“On behalf of everyone at the school and their families I’d like to say a huge thank you to Circle IT and Princes Gate Trust for helping us to help our pupils.”
Sam Atkinson, Chair of Princes Gate Trust, commented:
“We are extremely grateful to Circle IT and all that attended the Circle IT Charity Ball in helping to raise such a significant amount of money.
“The outdoor gym equipment at Ty Gwyn is just one such project that will help transform the lives of disadvantaged children and young people. Through our work at the Trust we are committed to positively impacting the lives of people who face daily, life-limiting challenges.”
Princes Gate Trust enhance and enrich the lives of disadvantaged children and young people and their families that have been affected by physical challenges or by life changing personal or familial circumstances. In a relatively short time since the inception of the Princes Gate Trust, its efforts have yielded life-changing results in a number of young people’s lives.
