PARENTS of children who attend a local special school are appealing for help after a spate of attacks by vandals and thieves.

Greenfold Special School, in Highfield Road, Farnworth, has suffered a catalogue of crime in the past few months:

In September, the first week of the new term, thieves stole a purse belonging to nursery nurse Sharon Tonge containing £40 and the purse of teacher Jean Sutherland. It contained £45 plus another £40 which had been raised for the children through a word search competition.

Just before the summer holidays a microwave worth £200 was stolen.

In July a classroom and vital equipment went up in smoke following an arson attack. Damage was estimated at more than £10,000.

In June the school camcorder was stolen from a teacher's car

At the beginning of the year a Chinese-style pagoda, built in the school yard by volunteers was wrecked - before the official opening.

Gail Hayton, from the Parent/Staff Association, said: "It's been a terrible year.

"The PSA works hard to raise money for resources and equipment but all the money has been swallowed up replacing things we already had.

"We've now got a great list of things we need but there's no way the PSA can raise enough money for everything."

Last year the PSA was delighted to see three years of fund-raising result in the opening of a £45,000 covered soft-play area at the school.

"We worked really hard raising that money," said Mrs Hayton, whose daughter Lucie, 10, is a pupil at the school which caters for 73 children with special needs.

"Because of all the awful things that have happened this year we're going to have to work harder than ever."

Mrs Hayton, of Chapeltown Road, Bromley Cross, and colleagues on the PSA are hoping that local businesses will help by donating some of the equipment the school needs.

The school shopping list includes a fridge, portable CDs for the stimulation room, and blinds in the light room.

Anyone who thinks they can help should ring headteacher Christine Chapman on 572425 or Mrs Hayton on 593955.

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