• Storage building and contents destroyed in fire
• National Grid and Balfour Beatty step in
• New unit built and stocked with toys
Two local companies came to the rescue when Hindsford Primary School in Atherton was attacked by vandals who set fire to a storage building used by the school’s wrap-around care club, destroying all its contents.
National Grid and Balfour Beatty who share offices in Worsley and work in partnership to carry out gas mains replacement in the North West heard about the fire and soon organised an emergency delivery of toys to replace those lost in the blaze.
The fire happened in the run-up to Christmas and the care club lost all its toys, games and sports equipment in addition to Christmas tree, decorations and nativity costumes which were also stored in the building.
Pauline Wells, Hindsford Wrap Around Care Manager said: “We’re really grateful to National Grid and Balfour Beatty for helping us and contacting other companies to collect donations to replace the Hindsford Wrap Around Care storage unit after it was completely destroyed by vandals. We were also able to replace some of the equipment and also buy items that the children had asked for on a wish list.”
Stephen Murray, National Grid’s Head of Contract said: “The school is quite close to our offices in Worsley and when we heard about the fire, our employees wanted to help out. The first thing we did was organise a collection of toys and games for the school. Then we raised funds for a new storage unit and helped the school choose the one they wanted before our staff moved in to put it up.
“We are doing essential gas mains replacement work in the local area and so thought that this was a great opportunity to show that we do care about the people and places that our gas network serves.”
Notes to editors - archive
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