Housebuilder marks National Walk to School Week with Wallyford donation

TO mark National Walk to School Week, Barratt Developments Scotland has encouraged schools to get involved in a number of mini-challenges and games during their walk to school.

Last year, over 750 schools across the UK took part in Walk to School Week, aimed at making pupils experience the importance of walking to school.

To coincide with the week, Barratt Homes donated 500 high-vis wristbands and bag charms to pupils at Wallyford school. The items were worn during the end of term trip.

The move comes as part of Barratt’s commitment to supporting children to enjoy their surroundings on their walk to school as they walk over newly completed road at nearby St Clements Wells development in Wallyford.

Anne Ross, sales director at Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, said, “We always try to encourage more people to get outside and connect with nature, whether that be sitting in their garden or walking to school instead of using transport. We hope the safety accessories we donated to pupils at Wallyford Primary school have helped encourage the school to enjoy their walk to school as they get some fresh air and connect with the surrounding nature on their walk.”

Meanwhile, Barratt has revealed the business is also supporting the Archie Foundation at a football tournament in Scotland’s north east.

Team Fire will go head-to-head with emergency service partners Team Police and, this year, Team NHS and Team SAS in support of the Battle of the Badges tournament to help raise funds for the Archie Foundation, the official charity of the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.

Taking place on Saturday June 10th at the home of Cove Rangers Football Club, the annual match is a favourite day out for families in and around Aberdeenshire.

Barratt Developments donates £1,500 per month to local charities in its divisions as part of the housebuilder’s pledge to improve the quality of life of those living in the areas in which it operates.

Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Scotland, through The Barratt Foundation’s Community Fund activity, have previously donated £1,000 to The Archie Foundation’s neonatal unit in Aberdeen –  an organisation that supports specialist staff, equipment, facilities and emergency grants to support patients and their families. Last year the total fundraising from the match amounted to £15,000 which this year the organisers are hoping to surpass.

David Palmer, MD at Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes North Scotland, said, “We are delighted to be supporting The Battle of the Badges 2023 although we all know that the real stars of the tournament are the outstanding mascots. We urge our local community to purchase a ticket from the Archie Foundation website for what is set to a cracking day out for all the family.

“Giving back to the communities in which we build has always been a priority for Barratt Developments, and we try our best to identify the charities most in need in our divisions with the help of our staff.

“This quarter we’ve donated to four fantastic causes that are supporting vulnerable or disadvantaged children in the North of Scotland. To be able to provide essential services in the current climate can be extremely challenging for charities. Hopefully, these donations will help them to continue the vital work they are doing in their local communities.”

To purchase a ticket to the Battle of the Badges Tournament visit The Archie Foundation website here.