A campaign to raise £70,000 for outdoor learning equipment for children with complex needs has been launched by an Attleborough school.

Eastern Daily Press: Staff and pupils at Chapel Road School are aiming to raise £70,000 to buy equipment to be installed in the new school once it is built in Old BUckenham.Sarah Eagleton (middle) and Belinda Ashton (Left) will be having their head's shaved, they are pictured with pupil Beckie Crisp and the new school's model.Staff and pupils at Chapel Road School are aiming to raise £70,000 to buy equipment to be installed in the new school once it is built in Old BUckenham.Sarah Eagleton (middle) and Belinda Ashton (Left) will be having their head's shaved, they are pictured with pupil Beckie Crisp and the new school's model. (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2015)

Chapel Road School was granted permission to move to a £10m purpose-built facility in Old Buckenham in October last year, improving their facilities and expanding their 60-pupil limit to 110.

But funds allocated for the Norfolk County Council project do not stretch to outdoor equipment, which teachers say is vital to the children's development.

Now a project, run by the school and the Friends of Chapel Road, to raise £70,000 for play and sensory equipment and outdoor activities is gathering motion, with their first target set at £10,000 for a wheelchair roundabout.

Sarah Eagleton, one of the friends and data manager at the school, said: 'A lot of it looks like it is just play equipment, but it is more than that. It helps the children improve their balance skills, their social skills and gives them essential life skills.'

She added that the area will be divided into sections for different abilities, including a wheelchair area which will give those children a 'chance to enjoy an exciting play area'.

Fundraising events are already in the pipeline - on Saturday, June 27 the school holds their annual fete from 12pm to 3pm.

And on Friday, July 17 Mrs Eagleton and Belinda Ashton, who also works at the school, will be shaving their hair off at a family disco at Connaught Hall if they raise £1,000 towards the goal.

The hair will be donated to the Little Princess Trust.

'I'm not actually nervous, I feel quite okay about it,' Mrs Eagleton said. 'My son and daughter were more worried - they initially asked if I was ill and then

started asking whether it would ever grow back!'

Chapel Road School cares for children with severe and profound learning needs. They run the Gifted and Able charity shop, at 24 Exchange Street, where students build skills by volunteering.

The disco will run from 7pm to 11pm and entry costs £2 for adults.

To donate, click here.

Do you have an Attleborough story? Email lauren.cope@archant.co.uk