WE HAVE MADE IT!! THANK YOU TO ALL, SOME AMAZING WORK FROM THE CHILDREN SELLING RIBENA, OLD TOYS, DVDS, POEMS, CAKES, LOLLIES AND BEING SPONSORED TO LIE IN COLD WATER, CLEAN THE HOUSE, EAT HEALTHILY, ETC ETC ETC. SOME INSPIRATIONAL STORIES. NOW TO ORDER THE HEDGE AND SORT OUT THE PLANTING - I'M SURE WE WILL ALL PITCH IN. Please do keep fundraising if you can as we will no doubt find we have costs like groundworks and security that we have not fully funded but THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT WE WILL HAVE OUR HEDGE! In Kingston-upon-Thames we are blessed with green spaces and the river, yet the youngest pupils at Fern Hill Primary School spend their playtime and PE lessons just metres away from one of the Borough's busiest roads (Richmond Road), with HGVs, buses, cars and vans passing and queuing all through the day. Our children should be running around without breathing in traffic fumes. We aim to plant a hedge the full length of the playground fence, capturing pollutants from the road to the benefit of all of us but especially the kids, to provide some natural privacy screening from the road and the bus stop and to enhance the environment. Over the past year we have identified the best hedge to plant (Elaeagnus X Ebbingei), secured the commitment of the pupils and parents and secured the necessary permissions from the Council and TfL. We're now ready to buy the hedge and get planting, we need to raise £7,000 to buy a mature hedge with immediate benefits. That's a lot of money but if everyone who can, helps, then it's the equivalent of 2 cups of posh coffee per parent and much less per local inhabitant and employee who will all benefit so we think we can do it. We intend to get the funding raised within 4 weeks and get the hedge planted in September. Everyone's getting involved, from ice cream and cake sales to sponsored runs and we will need every bit of help we can get. Please note it is also possible to give cash or a cheque made payable to Fern Hill Primary School via the school office, which explains the difference between the total raised here and the true total of all activities and donations.