A housebuilder has contributed money to the Foreland Fields Charity in Ramsgate to assist them establish a ‘Field of Dreams’ for the special school’s students.
Vistry Kent, which is building homes nearby at Linden Homes’ Westwood Point development, has donated £750 to the charity in order to help it generate funding for an outdoor sports facility for Foreland Fields School students.
Kent County Council donated the charity land at the back of the school in Newlands Lane, as well as £755,000 in money to enable the construction of a sports pitch, as well as a new access road, utilities, and security fencing.
The charity is now attempting to fund £450,000 to construct a pavilion on the site for the 250 students at the school, who range in age from three to 19, and have profound, severe, and complex needs, including Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
“The charity is very closely affiliated with our school, and the children here have christened the initiative the ‘Field of Dreams’,” said Jeremy Edwards, deputy head of Foreland Fields School.
“Through activities such as football, athletics, cycling, music, theatre, and art projects, this facility will provide a safe outdoor environment for children to develop a wide range of talents.”
“On the site, we also hope to establish a horticultural patch and a small woodland area that will serve as a ‘forest school,’ where students can learn about horticulture and reconnect with nature.”
“We need to gather funds to construct the pavilion, which will serve as a training and instruction space as well as a change area for the students.”
“This will be a huge benefit to the school since it will allow our students to participate in a variety of outside activities that they would otherwise be unable to do due to their special requirements,” he remarked.
“Outside of working hours, this facility will be used by a variety of partner organizations, allowing hundreds of children and young people from Foreland Fields and other special schools in the area to participate in a variety of clubs and activities, reducing social exclusion and improving physical and mental health.”
“We are grateful to Vistry Kent for their assistance and support, as well as their donation, which will help us reach our goal.”
A completely inclusive sports and leisure centre will be built on the field.
Linden Homes, Bovis Homes, and Vistry Partnerships are all part of the Vistry Group, which also includes Vistry Kent. At Westwood Point, Vistry Kent is building new homes under the Linden Homes brand.
“The ‘Field of Dreams’ is a great project that we are thrilled and glad to sponsor,” Millie Groves, marketing manager at Vistry Kent, stated.
“Foreland Fields School does an outstanding job of supporting, assisting, and teaching children with special needs. It’s nice to know that this outdoor facility will be used not only by the school’s students, but also by other community groups who serve people with special needs on evenings, weekends, and holidays.”
