THREE mums are pulling on their walking boots to boost a primary school’s sensory and playground equipment.
Emma Turner, Leigh Macdonald and Laura Napier are doing their bit for the Woodside provision within Windygoul Primary School.
The trio will be striding along the Pencaitland Railway Walk from 11am on Sunday to mark the last day of Autism Awareness Week.
A spokesperson for the school said: “Woodside at Windygoul is a new Additional Support Needs (ASN) provision within Windygoul Primary School, Tranent, which opened in August last year and supports children who have autism and communication needs.
“Woodside currently has one classroom of six children but has future capacity to support 18 children.
“The Windygoul team are so grateful to Emma, Leigh and Laura for choosing to support Woodside for their annual fundraiser and all monies raised will be spent in collaboration with the children and families.”
Emma Turner is among those taking part in a sponsored walk for the Woodside provision at Windygoul Primary School
Emma’s six-year-old son Nathan Turner attends Woodside, alongside Leigh’s five-year-old son Dexter Archibald and Laura’s six-year-old son James Cochrane.
Thirty-three-year-old Emma, who lives in Tranent, does a fundraiser each year for an autism charity and decided to do her bit to support Woodside.
Together, Emma, Laura (42), also of Tranent, and 34-year-old Leigh, of Port Seton, are looking to raise money to help further develop resources such as sensory and playground equipment.
Laura Napier is among those taking part in a sponsored walk for the Woodside provision at Windygoul Primary School
They said: “Woodside at Windygoul is very important to our families and there are not enough words to express how much.
“The staff are amazing and help our children to reach their full potential through strong relationships and an understanding of their individual needs.
“This encourages independence for our children in a safe and secure environment away from home, which helps parents relax knowing they are learning and being well looked after.”
The mums said that the reaction to the fundraiser, which will see them walk seven miles along the route before turning back and covering the same distance, had been “extremely positive”.
Leigh Macdonald is among those taking part in a sponsored walk for the Woodside provision at Windygoul Primary School
An initial fundraising target of £300 has been well and truly smashed, with more than £2,200 raised ahead of the trio even lacing up their walking boots.
Dianne MacKenzie, headteacher at the school, which is on the town’s Brotherstone’s Way, praised the efforts of those involved and wished them the best of luck.
She said: “We’re really lucky to have such a positive and supportive school community at Windygoul Primary.
“Since Woodside opened, we have all been able to see our dedicated staff team’s positive work with the children and their families.
“It’s great that our parents want to support Woodside and contribute to our school in a way that benefits their children now and in the future.”
To sponsor the walkers, go to uk.gofundme.com/f/woodside-school-14-mile-walk-fundraiser
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