Christmas has come early for a Denbighshire primary school which is earning itself much-needed funds thanks to a partnership with a high street giant.
Enterprising Ysgol Y Parc Infants school in Denbigh have installed a storage unit from local company Lock Stock Self Storage and are selling surplus stock from Poundland in Rhyl to raise cash for classroom supplies.
The 20-foot unit boasts 1280 cubic feet of space and currently much of it is taken up by a wide range of Poundland’s Christmas range including Christmas cards, wrapping paper, decorations and party bags.
It’s set to be a major boost to the 206-pupil school which takes children from reception class to Year Two and which has seen the loss of such money-spinners as the Christmas Fayre, School Discos and the annual Summer event, known as Parcfest, which have raised over £3,000 in the past.
School Administrator Paula Hassall said: “We have a connection with Poundland in Rhyl and they have very kindly donated their unsold stock to us and registered us as a charity for a year which is a big help.
“They’re letting us have the unsold stock free of charge and we’ve put it up for sale on the school Facebook page and on Facebook Marketplace.
“It’s especially important as the pandemic has prevented us from holding all the usual fund-raising events to raise money for the school.
“Even a sponsored walk has been difficult for us because of the restrictions and the children have really missed collecting their sponsorship money which is really exciting for them.”
Lock Stock’s Lisa James, who went to Ysgol Y Parc, was delighted to pay her old school a visit and she said: “I’m delighted we have been able to help them out with the hire of the storage unit.
“It has always been a lovely school and I have so many happy memories of being here – the school seems a lot smaller than how I remember it.
“But the pandemic has made it difficult for schools and many charities to carry out their usual fund-raising and here they really need that extra money for important classroom materials and indoor and outdoor equipment.
“It’s brilliant the way Poundland are supporting the school and I’m sure it will help them greatly – and it’s a great chance to get some of that Christmas shopping done early.”
Paula added: “The sales have been going very well and details can be found on the school Facebook page.
“We’ve had customers from as far as Bala, Prestatyn and Ruthin already as it’s never too early to start shopping for Christmas and we have also donated some of the stock to a local nursing home.”
