WELL done to Wolverhampton Racecourse and the other businesses in the city who got together to host a halloween party to help lift the spirits of youngsters whose school was recently destroyed in a fire. The event was held in the Ringside suite at Wolverhampton Racecourse,after Beacon Radio breakfast show DJ Fresh raised concerns about the plight of pupils from Wilkinson Primary School in Bradley.
The staff and children have been left without premises since the blaze damaged more than 80 per cent of the school earlier this month.
Beacon was inundated with comments and reactions to the fire, which police believe was started deliberately, and staff were keen to help out in any way they could.
Fresh approached head teacher Tina Gibbon, who has been praised by parents and the wider community for all her efforts since the fire, and asked what help they could provide.
Mrs Gibbon has worked tirelessly with the community to help find alternative premises, and temporary classrooms have been set up in St Martin’s Church, to give the school a few weeks to arrange mobile classrooms for its Walter Road site.
“We realised how devastated the pupils must be by what has gone on, and wondered if a party for all concerned would help give them something to look forward to, and a boost, after all the upset they have had,” said Kate Fuller, from Beacon Radio.
“Mrs Gibbon was thrilled with the idea, so with the help of the racecourse and our local Asda store, who provided the food, drink, cups, plates and decorations, we hope we gave the youngsters something to smile about again.”
David Roberts, Managing Director of Wolverhampton Racecourse (pictured right with head teacher, Tina Gibbon), said the suite is the course’s largest, and was easily big enough to host the 335 pupils at the party.
“The fire was devastating for all concerned, and like people across the city, we have been touched by the spirit everyone at Wilkinson’s primary school has shown in the face of real adversity,” he said.
“We use the Ringside suite for many different events, from weddings to conferences, so it was plenty big enough to give the children lots of room to enjoy themselves.
“With the help of Beacon and Asda, we hope we ensured the party raised everyone’s spirits and strengthened their determination for the battles which are still ahead of them.”
Mrs Anne-Marie Hudson, people services manager at the Asda store in Princes End Tipton, said: “We really wanted the children to enjoy themselves and for the party to bring out the team spirit to help them get over this set back.
"We always try to support the community as much as we can and we wanted to play our part in helping the children get back to school but also help boost their morale.”
Fresh was DJ at the disco, and on the night, children were given prizes for a fancy dress competition - Megan Smith is pictured with headteacher Mrs Gibbon, after winning one of the competitions.
Mrs Gibbon said: “This is the first time we’ve come together as a community to celebrate the school getting back to work. So it was great for the pupils, for them to have a bit of fun and hopefully put the past behind them and look to the future.”
Comments