A SPECIAL children's facility has received a welcome cash boost to help fund an exciting new playground for schoolchildren.
Millom Infants School has unveiled a new state-of-the-art playground as part of its celebrated Sunshine Room.
The Sunshine Room is a quiet room within Millom Infants School where children with emotional troubles can take time away from the class to continue their studies and work on boosting their confidence and self-esteem.
Councillor Janice Brown, Millom Town Councillor for Haverigg ward, first visited the room several years ago and was amazed by what it had to offer.
She said: "I was invited there when I was mayor and I was shown round the school and I was so impressed by this little room that gets no county council funding.
"It's got a nice, friendly atmosphere and the children were just so happy."
Determined to help this small community resource thrive, Cllr Brown teamed up with other members of the Haverigg Harbour Ladies to raise money for the centre.
Their most recent donation totalled £4,000 which went towards a new play area that they opened earlier this month.
Jackie Stocks, higher level teaching assistant at Millom Infants School, has overseen the project, along with colleague, Sheila Watson, and is delighted to open the new facility.
She said: "It was part of last year's accreditation to get an outside area solely for the use of children in The Sunshine Room.
"With this year being the 150th anniversary of Millom Newtown, we thought it would be a good idea to get it done this year.
"With the help of the Harbour Ladies, who have raised a lot of money for us, that's what we've been able to do."
The new playground is a haven for the children who can take advantage of a whole host of fun and games, including a digging area and chalk-board wall.
Mrs Stocks has been delighted by the support from the community, including small businesses and parents who helped transform the space.
She said: "It's been a real community development and we really, really appreciate the support we get from the community.
"We wouldn't have been able to do it without the support of Janice and the Harbour Ladies and all the people who have donated things to make it happen."
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