YOUNGSTERS at a York primary academy have an amazing new addition to their playground thanks to the local community.

Children at Scarcroft Academy now have a gigantic Viking longship to keep them occupied at play times.

The wooden equipment has been installed thanks to the combined fundraising efforts of Bishopthorpe Road’s Costcutter, Waitrose in Foss Islands Road, and Friends of Scarcroft School (FoSS).

The Southbank Costcutter branch elected to support Scarcroft school as their Local Pride cause of choice, and Waitrose raised funds for the school through its Community Matters scheme.

Pupils chose a Viking longship to recognise the Viking heritage of the city, said deputy head teacher Jenny Holton.

She said: “There was a huge amount of excitement over the first few days – the equipment is very important to the children: it provides them with a place to sit during playtime, a place to meet their friends, somewhere to climb and play, and encourages imaginative play.

“We have really enjoyed linking up with the team at Costcutter, and our school council had a tour of the store and made bunting for their Easter display.

“It’s great that this piece of equipment represents a collaboration between the children, parents and the local community.”

The longship cost £2,400 with more than £550 donated from Costcutter, £160 from Waitrose and the rest was paid for by FoSS.

Ms Holton said: “We are honoured to have received the money from Costcutter and Waitrose and recognise the contribution that members of the public have made to this.

“Our FoSS team is an amazing asset to the school, and we’d also like to thank all our parents who attend our events and contribute so generously to the school.”

York Press:

Katie Davison, of Costcutter, said: “It’s great news and very rewarding for us to hear that the school has been able to use the money raised.

“We’ve reached our original target which was set at £500, and with more donations coming through up to the end of the year, it will be lovely to see how much more we can raise through donations and the support of customers.”

The longship was designed and made by Sheriff Hutton-based Image Playgrounds. It follows something of a trend as the school’s cart in the Micklegate Soapbox Challenge this year was also based on a longboat. Earlier in the year the school joined forces with Millthorpe secondary and Knavesmire primary to become a multi-academy trust.