The cheers and enthusiasm of the pupils from Thorpe Park Primary School said it all today. 

8 Year-5 pupils met Rotarians for the first time in their lives and together with their Headteacher Mary Wallis received a cheque in the sum of £41,000 from District Governor John Craike.  Thanks to the Rotary Club of Holderness monies from the District flood funds will be used to replace computers, books, sports equipment and of course, a climbing frame.

You could say it was ironical that the cheque was presented on a day when the rain fell and fell and fire engines were back on flood duty in Burstwick (a recipient of a cheque in late November/early December) and other locations around Hull but for the excited children it was very disappointing that all the press except the Hull Daily Mail were out reporting on the floods as they happened.  Joanne Charlton was very particularly disappointed.  She told me that she had wanted to go on television so that she could thank everyone very much for being so kind.  She said the money would help give them all the things they needed and would make school so much better when they went back.  It is hoped that the children will return to their school on 20 February with the teachers returning 2 days prior to prepare for their arrival. 

Full details of the whole project together with the cheque presentation photo will be uploaded shortly.  In the meantime, the children would like to share with you what they are most looking forward to.

It is clear that in the year of literacy the most popular authors are Roald Dahl and J K Rowling and that all the pupils are all looking forward to the climbing frame.  I had a brief conversation with them all whilst they waited for the photographers to get prepared and here is what they told me:

Louise Hall, aged 9 "the climbing frame is best as will help with our physical education to keep us fit"

Joanne Charlton, aged 10 "books are best because I like reading especially Roald Dahl and J K Rowling"

Chandler Jepmond, aged 10 "climbing frame because I like climbing"

Craig Agar, aged 9 said he was looking forward to the climing frame and books.  He was another Roald Dahl fan. 

Chay Hawkins, aged 10 "books and football kit with the Rotary badge on".  He has played against Endike and Bricknell Avenue schools.

Rachel Winn, aged 10 "the new football kit"  She is apparently a very good goalie.

Cameron Waters aged 9, another Roald Dahl fan so he was looking forward to the new books and of course, the climbing frame.

James Good, age 10 was looking forward to the football kit and climbing frame as he loves to be active.

And the next challenge for the children - to find out who Rotarians are and if they know one!