STRATTON Primary School is creating a multi-purpose, all-weather, 600-metre track in the school field.

The children enjoy running their school field each day and now they need a low-cost, low maintenance, hard-wearing track suitable for them to be able to use the field in all weathers. This will not only benefit the current pupils, but future generations as well as the public. Stratton playgroup are already involved in fundraising for the track by holding a sponsored ‘Toddle Waddle’.

The school will allow the local community access to the track at weekends and during the evenings for activities such as walking, running and cycling. The finished track will be planted with trees and wildflowers, creating a pleasant environment and a good wildlife habitat. The school also plans on developing areas of the track for off-road biking as well as more advanced trail biking.

To do justice to the idea, the school is now looking to raise at least £18,000 and have now appointed a specialist contractor.

They held a Santa Run in December, which was organised by the school council as an awareness-raising launch to the project, and more recently they held a fun quiz night.

The school has approached the British Cycling Federation for support as well as other agencies and are hopeful of some grant funding. Locally, they have approached several companies and are thrilled that Glendennings have offered to supply all the quarry stone needed for the track build for free!

Later, the school plans to build a sports pavilion in the field to provide access to toilets, changing and kitchen facilities when out on the field with the children. The pavilion would be used by local running and cycling groups, hired for parties and many more events.

The school is holding a raffle with amazing prizes including a Squish bike, donated by Ride It Cycles bike shop, and a wheelbarrow, donated by KJ Bromell, full of Peroni and Doom Bar beer! The raffle will be drawn at their next event on June 21.

Squish bikes make a range of sizes to suit four to eleven-year-olds. These are some of the lightest and highest spec children’s bikes on the market. Leigh from Ride It Cycles said: “They offer two colour options in all sizes of their hybrid range so the lucky winner can choose a suitable colour hybrid and size of bike to suit their child.”

For more information about Squish bikes, go to www.squish.bike.

The school is holding a fun community event in the school field on Friday, June 21 from 4pm to help raise money for the track. Everyone is welcome to join them.

A barbecue, soft drinks and sweets will be available throughout the evening.

To find out more, visit the school’s Facebook page.

The school has also launched a Just Giving page for anyone who would like to make a donation. To donate, go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/strattonschool-thetrack