All aboard play train for Bluebell Wood hospice children

The brightly coloured play train was installed thanks to students from Rotherham College.

Children, wheelchair users and families can now explore, play on or just sit down and enjoy the ride i n the adventure play area, which has an engine, tender and carriage on anti-slip decking, as well as windows, tunnels and climbing areas.

The idea was the brainchild of Rotherham College tutor Neil Jones, who runs Working Chance, a community project set up to boost the employability of young people in Rotherham through woodworking products.

Neil said: “This project has given our students the chance to put their skills to practical use and create something fun and useful for the children and families at Bluebell Wood. We were able to buy all the tools through lottery funding, so only had to source the materials, design the play area and build it. It’s the first time most of our students have taken on a project of this size and they’ve worked hard to create a fun experience for Bluebell Wood children and their families.

Bluebell Wood community fundraiser in Rotherham Anna Gott said: “Our children love interesting, creative and adventurous play, so we’re really grateful to the students for building this amazing play area.

“We know that they and their brothers and sisters will have many hours of fun on it, as it’s already proving very popular.

“We’re here to help families relax, have fun and spend precious time together and facilities like this help to make Bluebell Wood a place filled with love, fun and laughter.”

The students approached a number of local companies for materials and both Bluebell Wood and the students thanked Buildbase for the timber for the frame, Snows Timber for the shiplap panels, Willmott Dixon for the anti-slip decking and Johnsons Paint for the paint.

To help the children cared for at Bluebell Wood visit Bluebell Wood