Wigmore School’s athletes have a spring in their steps, thanks to funding from a local business.
The money from Kingspan Insulation has given pupils access to high-quality athletics equipment.
Athletics is a popular and successful sport at Wigmore with the school producing good performances at district and county level.
Among the pupils is Chris Brookes who was encouraged to attend Hereford and County Athletics Club last year where he was named Best U17 athlete for 2009.
This year saw Chris become Hereford and Worcester Champion, winning with a very creditable height of 1.90m.
Vicky Jones, PE Teacher at Wigmore said “Some of the existing athletics equipment used, in particular the high jump, was of a poor standard and needed replacing.
“So we decided to apply for funding from the Kingspan Insulation Community Trust to enable us to purchase better quality equipment.”
The application from the school, for just under £2,000, was approved and the money was used on a highjump landing area,including spike-proof cover and cut outs for extra safety, as well as a highjump stand, flexibar, adistance marker and tape measure.
Vicky Jones added “This new equipment has further enhanced the experience of pupils and ensured their safety when performing this popular event.”
John Garbutt, Chairman of the Trust said: “We believe it is extremely important to encourage healthy recreation.
“We hope that this new and up to date equipment will not only improve participation but will also develop the health and fitness of the pupils.”
Application forms and details of other local projects that have already been helped by the trust since it was set up over three years ago can be viewed on the website www.KingspanInsulationCommunityTrust.org.
Kingspan Insulation Community Trust provides funding to the communities of Shobdon, Pembridge and Kingsland in Herefordshire and there is no limit to the number of applications that can be submitted.
All that is asked is that they meet at least one of the trust’s four objectives which cover conservation, encouraging biodiversity, health and fitness of young people and road safety.