Our son Noah Strickland is a pupil at John Fletcher of Madeley Primary School in Telford. Like most children Noah has a passion for the outdoors. It is common knowledge that outdoor play helps to encourage social skills, stimulate learning, drive independence, and develops a nature for exploration. Outdoor play equipment can help children to learn to push their boundaries and become good at risk assessment. It teaches them to explore new games and become confident in learning to try new things without being guided by adults. A 2015 study by the UK’s leading playground supplier, demonstrated that investment in school playgrounds increases children’s physical activity and improves behaviour.

That said following years of underfunding of schools nationally it is a great shame that schools are becoming incredibly limited in their ability to purchase, regenerate or improve their outdoor play facilities. John Fletcher is no different.

On that basis and due to my personal connection to the school, it is my intention to run the Ironbridge Half Marathon on Sunday 24th March 2019 to help raise money towards outdoor play equipment for the school. I’d like to welcome any teachers, staff or parents connected to school to join me on the marathon or to undertake some alternative fundraising of their own.

There are many worthy causes out there but this one is close to my heart. Any donation to the cause would be warmly welcomed by myself and the very dedicated staff of John Fletcher of Madeley.

Many thanks in advance.