Ford staff are driving force behind West Horndon school's makeover

AS THE summer holidays get under way, a team of workers from Ford in Dunton gave a primary school a welcome makeover.

Redecorating chipped walls, building a summerhouse and replacing and repairing a broken and rotten gate were some of jobs that helped transform West Horndon Primary School.

The volunteer day is part of Ford's commitment to supporting the community and saw 13 employees swap slide rules for paint brushes and hammers on Friday.

Andrew Fletcher, whose two children are set to attend the school, explained: "It's a project we do over the summer.

"We are doing some painting, putting together a playhouse, a summerhouse, repairing the front gate and replacing the wooden slats that were rotten."

Last year, staff helped charity Thurrock Mind refurbish its community garden.

The year before, a team of 24 employees was dispatched to refurbish Shenfield High School.

Mr Fletcher, who lives in Thorndon Avenue, continued: "Basically, we look for someone who knows of a project in the area. I've got two young children who will probably both be attending the school – the eldest will start next year.

"As the school is only four miles from the Dunton Ford building, it is ideal for everyone who travels to Dunton just to go that little bit further.

"We have painted the stairs, the bannisters and the wood that goes up to the second floor.

"We have had a team out the front who have been painting and repairing the front gates.

"They also have a double-decker bus, which has been painted from the inside and we have built a wooden playhouse too."

Mr Fletcher, who armed himself with a paintbrush, asked the school if they would like a helping hand over the summer holidays.

"Of course, as it is with most schools, they only have one caretaker and he can only do certain tasks – he has to contract other jobs out," Mr Fletcher said.