WELCOME DONATION: Prison officer Alex Smith, centre, with his wife Grace and fellow officers John White, left, and Robbie Murdie (retired) from HM Frankland Prison present the cheque to headteacher Gill Stringer, right, and pupils from Villa Real School
A SPECIAL school has received more than £4,000 from a group of prison officers.
They visited every Scottish football ground within a 48-hour period to raise cash and had a £1,000 boost from the Prison Officers Association.
The eight-year-old granddaughter of Alex Smith, who works at Frankland Prison, Ellie, attends Villa Real Special School in Consett.
He visited and handed over the money yesterday.
Headteacher Gill Stringer said the money would be spent on horse riding lessons for pupils.
She said: “We are extremely grateful and this means the children will be able to enjoy experiences they would not otherwise be able to.”
Money will also be spent on a reading scheme for children to help them learn to read.
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