Fundraiser was a blazing success
Genius parents from a Paisley school have turned a recent tragedy around by walking on hot coals.
Parents of children attending West Primary School walked across 10 feet of hot coals last week in a bid to raise funds for an outdoor gym.
Forty people took part in the firewalk.
It was organised six months after vandals torched a muchloved wooden bandstand used for performances and outdoor teaching.
Not to be defeated by the firebugs, however, the school’s parent-teacher council decided to use the disastrous event as inspiration for a fundraising fire walk.
They, together with staff, head teacher Lynn McGinn and neighbours completed the challenge in front of hundreds of people who had turned out to cheer them on.
Their bravery raised an incredible £9,500 on the same night the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service turned out to highlight fire safety to youngsters.
Jillian McHarg, who chairs the parent council with Karen McCardle, said the event was absolutely worth the few blisters and sore feet.
“We exceeded all our expectations and then some,” she said.
“We didn’t anticipate raising as much as we have, we are delighted.
“I had done a firewalk before and so knew what to expect. It was obviously very hot. There were a few blisters but so many people had turned out to support us so we were determined to do it.
“All the blisters were worth it.” The fire walk was hosted by Lee from Fire walk in Scotland who conducted a 90-minute training session with all of the walkers before Michael Kerr, from Kilbarchan Pipe Band, piped them all out into the playground.
And it was not just the firewalk that provided entertainment on the night.
Jurassic Discos brought along Terry, the 7ft animatronic T-Rex, and his Paw Patrol friend Marshall to meet the children.
Helen, of POI Paisley, taught the kids some tricks using LED props and then wowed the crowd with her fire dance routine.
The R U Starvin Marvin food van made sure everyone was fed and watered, offering a percentage of the takings to support the cause on the night.
The red watch crew from Paisley fire station were also in attendance, showing the kids around the appliance and talking to them about the dangers of fires.
The irony-filled night ensured the message of fire safety was ever present, with the children having already seen first hand the destruction that can be caused.
Jillian added: “It had been used for things like reading groups, Santa’s Grotto and an outdoor classroom. It was a big part of the playground.
“Initially, that’s what inspired us to turn the negative into a positive and we decided to do a fire walk to raise funds to improve the playground.
“The head teacher and the children got together and the most popular choice was an outdoor gym.”
Thrilled with how the night went, Jillian said the parentteacher council is now in the incredible position of being able to hand over £12,000 to the school for the coveted outdoor gym.
It will feature bikes, cross trainers, cardio boxes and a host of equipment that children can use together.
Jillian said: “We are very grateful to everyone who supported the event especially at this time with the cost-of-living crisis and everyone’s bills going up.
“We are completely overwhelmed with everyone’s generosity.
“It’s not just been parents and staff, but friends and local businesses too.
“The generosity of all the companies who donated generated almost £1,000 in raffle ticket sales during the event. “Absolutely fantastic amount! “It has been a real community event and so we and thrilled with what has been achieved.”