Donation for Devon school

Mill Gardens development in Cullompton has donated £1,000 to Friends of Willowbank Primary School to help fund an extension of educational space for its pupils.

South West presented the cheque to Sami Tucker, Chair of Friends of Willowbank – the registered charity that supports the school – along with Head of School Hannah Jay, and pupil Scarlett Sigsworth.

Friends of Willowbank are raising funds for a new outdoor classroom and play equipment, which will start to be landscaped over the summer holidays. The charity’s volunteers have already held numerous events including discos and a summer fete as part of its efforts to raise £40,000 to complete this project. 

The project aims to give the 250 children who attend Willowbank Primary School the opportunity to bring their day to day learning out into the fresh air, getting further in touch with nature and developing their co-ordination and dexterity with brand new play equipment.

The new outdoor classroom will also give a wonderful new space for engaging with the community and will be built to be disability friendly so that no child will be left out of utilising this fantastic new resource.

Volunteers have spent weekends in the school grounds clearing the scrubland where this is being constructed, so the excitement is building to break ground in early August. 

Accredited five-stars Mill Gardens has two, three, and four-bed properties available from £229,995 at its award-winning Mill Gardens site in Cullompton, which will deliver 200 new homes for local people when complete.

We have already committed over £2m towards a new primary school, contributions to early years, secondary and special needs education, a doctors’ surgery expansion, and a town centre road relief contribution as part of its plans.

Our Community Champions scheme sees £700,000 go to good causes and much-valued organisations across Britain each year. Recent local recipients include Royal Devon Hospitals Charity, Cullompton Playgroup, Uffculme School, Hospiscare Exeter, and Cullompton Pre-School.

Commenting, Stacey Harris – Sales Director for South West – said:

“We are delighted to support Friends of Willowbank Primary School through our Community Champions initiative, especially with our Mill Gardens site only around the corner.

“At Persimmon, we’re passionate about investing in local communities and have a track record of supporting schools in the areas where we build.

“So, we hope this donation helps enhance the charity's fantastic work and provides even more opportunities for children to thrive, making the most of the outdoors while they’re at it.”

Sami Tucker – Chair of Friends of Willowbank – added:

“We’re incredibly grateful to Persimmon for this generous donation through their Community Champions scheme.

“Enhancing the school's outdoor space has been a key goal for both the charity and the school leadership team, and this support will help us create a more engaging, inclusive environment where all our children can learn, play, and grow.”