Looking back to when Barton school raised cash for new build

PAST pupils and friends were being urged to help a school make the most of its extension, twenty years ago.

Builders arrived at Barton Primary School in February 2004, to build a new hall, classroom, kitchen, staff room and office thanks to investment from North Yorkshire County Council's education department.

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The Friends of Barton School raised more than £8,000 to ensure pupils and staff can make the best of their new building.

The school also the local community will join in a number of other money-spinning initiatives to help cover the cost of quality fixtures and fittings.

People could buy bricks for the extension, with the names of those who donated cash to be listed in a book of thanks.

"The extension means we can demolish the 50-year-old temporary building while the design is such that the younger children will be able to play in an enclosed courtyard, '' said headteacher, Liz Trewhitt.

"The friends have done a marvellous job already, but the more we can raise as a community, the better the school facilities will be, not just for today's children, but for everyone else in future.''

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An air ambulance swooped over the Angel of the North to help launch a drive to keep the service aloft, in February 2004.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service unveiled Women of Substance, a campaign calling upon women of the region to raise £1,000 each in support of the service over a period of six months.

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The first 50 Great North Angels turned up to show support for the vital life saving service and were given packs with fundraising ideas.

Fundraising manager Paula Harrison said the charity hoped to have get 100 Angels to raise a total of £100,000 in six months.

They would then find 100 more to take over from them.

She said: "As a registered charity, we get no government funding, nor are we likely to do so. The entire operation depends on fundraising to raise the necessary £750,000 per aircraft per annum to maintain this vital life saving service."