Dare to Dream

County Durham primary school crowdfunding to heat and light their magical learning library with renewables.

A guest post by Jennifer Clair Robson of Climate Action North

A County Durham primary school, which is refurbishing two decommissioned railway carriages into a magical learning library and reading space, is being supported by a crowdfunder organised by Climate Action North.

Climate Action North, a community interest company dedicated to taking action to tackle the climate crisis, has entered Kirk Merrington Primary School into the M&S Energy Community Fund Competition 2020 to raise the money needed to install solar panels and LED lighting in the two railway carriages.

The Dare to Dream project will also repurpose seats and table, include new flooring and bespoke library furniture so pupils can indulge in the love of reading and creative writing in a fun and relaxed environment.

The project is spearheaded by the school’s secretary, Lesley Smith, who said: “We are very excited about this project, which has been a dream of mine for the past two years. Due to the increase in pupil numbers the school’s purpose-built library is now used as a classroom, and the library was moved into school corridors.

“The Dare to Dream train will provide an imaginative learning environment for the children.“The Dare to Dream train will provide an imaginative learning environment for the children as well as reinforce appreciation for our local heritage which is steeped in history in respect to the railroads. We hope you can help us fundraise for this very exciting project and thank everyone for their support.”

As well as helping to secure the funds for the installation of solar panels and LED energy efficient lighting, Climate Action North will also support the creation of a hedgehog and bee-friendly garden around the grounds, donate books for the library, and help pupils learn about renewable energy and nature. 

We’re thrilled to be supporting this exciting project; after all, children represent the future, and what is more important than that?Climate Action North’s Managing Director, Sharon Lashley, said: “It’s fantastic that the school is breathing life into disused train carriages in such an ingenious and practical way that will not only help ignite the imagination of the children of today for the world of work for tomorrow but will also make use of renewable energy technology such as solar panels. We’re thrilled to be supporting this exciting project; after all, children represent the future, and what is more important than that?”

The Crowdfunder and M&S Energy Competition, which backs community projects committed to being environmentally conscious and installing renewable technology or energy efficiency measures in their endeavour to do so, will split £40,000 match-funding between 15 winners.

To support this project and donate to the Crowdfunder page please click here.