Appeal for donations after storm

A CHARITY is appealing for help after one of its buildings was destroyed during last week’s freak thunderstorm.

The Forest Hut, at the Seashell Trust in Cheadle Hulme, caught fire after being struck by lightning.

The blaze spread through the roof of the wooden building which is used as a forest school for profoundly disabled students at Royal College Manchester.

Principal Mark Geraghty said: “It has been extensively damaged but thankfully nobody was hurt.

“It’s hard to assess as the building has not yet been declared safe, but substantial parts have been greatly damaged.

“We are going to need a lot of help to clear up after the area is reopened.

“The forest hut has been a site of many happy memories over the years and we hope to repair or rebuild it so it can continue to offer our young people extra opportunities to enjoy getting outside.”

The building was also used as a ‘tropical ‘chillout’ zone for the charity’s annual ShellStock Festival and festival equipment which was stored inside was also destroyed.

Fran Normansell, who runs the Forest School for the trust, said: “I am totally gutted.

“It has taken three years to build up the bank of resources and a lot of the festival resources were only bought last July.

“The students’ work is ●●The damage caused to the Forest Hut by last week’s thunderstorm irreplaceable and included the willow dragonflies made by school students and volunteers.”

To make a donation or to volunteer to help restore the forest hut contact Wendy Bray on 0161 610 0100 or email wendy.bray@ seashelltrust.org.uk.