Parents and community raise whopping £30,000 for new Gordon Primary School playground

The Huntly pupils were able to enjoy the new and improved playground for the first time on Thursday.

By Ellie Milne

February 14 2025, 6:18 pm

Pupils were able to use the new equipment for the first time this week. Image: Sarah-Jane Stewart.

A group of hard-working parents have described the unveiling of new play equipment at a Huntly school as a “dream come true”.

For the past 10 months the members of the Gordon Primary School PTA have been committed to turning their vision for the P1 and P2 playground into a reality.

Thanks to support from the school, the local community and several businesses, they have been able to raise more than £30,000 for the project.

This week, pupils were able to enjoy the new play equipment for the very first time – in an outdoor space that looked very different just a few weeks ago.

Gordon Primary School playground — The new play equipment at Gordon Primary School. Image: Sarah-Jane Stewart.

Committee secretary Sarah-Jane Stewart said: “When I was at school in Huntly there were lots of things in the playground.

“It was such fun because there was lots to do. But the P1 and P2 pupils now had nothing to play with.

“The council do not have the money to spend on play equipment so we made it our mission to do something for the kids.”

Pupils at Gordon Primary School playground — Some of the youngsters enjoying the new playground this week. Image: Sarah-Jane Stewart.

Gordon Primary School playground transformed

Although the initial fundraising target seemed “insane”, the group have been able to successfully raise all the funds and have the new equipment and CCTV installed within 10 months.

“It just shows we were determined,” Sarah-Jane added.

“Why should the kids go without when we can come together and make it happen?

“It wouldn’t have been possible without our fundraising events, support from the local community and our sponsors.

Playground equipment being installed — Scotplay and Alan Morrison Builders helped with the project. Image: Sarah-Jane Stewart.

“We got money from the Vattenfall Clashindarroch Windfarm Community Fund, Dummies Community Grant and the Aberdeenshire Council ACT2 Grant.

“And there were more donations from RB Farquhar, R&M Engineering Benriach and Glendronach distilleries, Subsea 7, Huntly Over 50s Club and Sinclairs Bakery.”

Gordon Primary School pupils were able to enjoy the new and improved playground for the first time on Thursday.