Cracker of a donation aids special school

Youngsters at a Stourbridge special school are celebrating a Christmas cracker of a donation.

The coffers of Sunfield Special School in Woodman Lane, Clent, have been bolstered by a £700 gift from the Fountain Inn pub in Adams Hill.

Landlord and landlady Richard and Jackie Macey decided to ditch the Christmas crackers they usually lay out on the tables during the festive season. The move saved them £700, which they have handed over to Sunfield. In return Sunfield students have made a wreath for the pub restaurant door.

Mr Macey said: "We have become much more aware of the impact of our business on the environment over the last few years and have developed a green policy. Last year, for the first time, we boycotted crackers as they generate quite a lot of paper waste and our customers were very happy to support us in this. This year we have decided to do the same thing and put the money we would have spent on crackers to much better use. Sunfield school is right next door to the Fountain and they need as much money as possible as they are currently building new classroom facilities for their pupils, all of whom have profound and complex learning difficulties."

Carl Gough, of Sunfield, said: "It is wonderful when our local community supports us in this way. We consequently have a huge job to do in raising the funds to build, furnish and equip our building so the donation from the Fountain really is putting their cracker fund to good use."

The donation is the latest boost for Sunfield as it raises funds towards its refurbishment project. Also recently football fans put their hands in their pockets, donating almost £1,000 for a Stourbridge special school in less than an hour. Sunfield volunteers went round the stands at The Hawthorns when West Bromwich Albion took on Chelsea.