James McClean welcomes new sensory room at Longtower PS

Wowzers! International footballer, Derry’s own James McClean, is the latest celebrity to send a message of support to the hard-working members of the Friends of Longtower group.

In his video message, James congratulated Longtower PS on getting its first sensory room.

James, who recently received an autism diagnosis, said: “I just want to say a big congratulations to the staff and everyone who took part in raising the funds for the Friends of Longtower and getting the school’s first sensory room.

“Fantastic work. What a huge benefit it will be to the school. Well done again.”

Just last week, Lisa McGee, Derry Girls creator and “proud past pupil of Longtower PS'' also sent the group a message in which she said she was delighted to see the work Friends of Longtower had been doing this year to support the school’s “wonderful principal, Joyce Logue, her amazing staff, her pupils and their families”.

Lisa said: “Friends of Lontower did everything from organising free toy exchanges at Christmas, a free Easter Bunny visit and egg hunt, coffee mornings to bring families together with top experts to learn about organisations and resources available locally.

“I appreciate how difficult it can be to fundraise in working class areas like the one I grew up in, so thank you for having the children’s backs and for remarkably raising enough money for the first ever sensory room and new play park equipment this year, during both a cost of living crisis and a time of unprecedented and shameful cuts in our schools.

“You are doing vital, vital work and I really hope people and business leaders get behind you guys.

“Finally, though there is much more to be done, now is the time to celebrate what working together can and has achieved and I hope everyone has a wonderful time at the Friends of Longtower Fun Day on June 9. Bye bye.”

Over a cuppa in Claude’s Café, Derry News chatted to the Friends of Longtower kitchen cabinet of parents: Shauna Doherty (Chairperson), Catherine Doherty, Christine Frazer, and Edel Adair.

Friends of Longtower: Shauna Doherty, Catherine Doherty, Christine Frazer and Edel Adair.

“Friends of Longtower was formed in October to support the school,” said Shauna. “We are trying to build up a network of like minded people, past pupils, parents, grandparents, aunties, local businesses, people who want to see the school do well and the children at the school doing well.

“We have been doing great work throughout the year. We do a mixture of fundraising and free events. Among the free events were a Christmas toy drive and a visit from the Easter Bunny and an Easter egg hunt. We are also having a free fun day on June 9.

“In between these we have big fundraisers. We had a bingo night at Christmas and a night at the races, which got us across the line in terms of fundraising for the school’s first ever sensory room, which should be fitted within the next month.

“The sensory room will help every child at the school. It will be used by every child at the school. Particularly it is a priority for neuro diverse children but not only that, it will also be available to any child who is going through a hard time or needs to just go and relax. So we feel really proud about that,” said Shauna smiling.

Edel Adair, who has a son in primary five at Longtower PS, said the group decided to fundraise for the sensory room but never expected to be as successful as they were.

“I got a great feeling of satisfaction when we got all the funding raised for the sensory room. And, on top of that, there are now loads of people who want to help us out.

“I love volunteering in the group, it gets me out. We have also started ‘Star of the Week’ just to give a wee bit of recognition to the Friends of Longtower who are helping out. I got it first and I was all delighted. That week, Shauna and I went in and dug out the sandpit and cleaned it up for the new play park, which is our next project.”

Laughing, another Friend of Longtower, Christine Frazer revealed she got ‘Star of the Week’ for helping to tidy up the school’s play park.

“The play park has always been there but we are doing it up to encourage outdoor play and messy play,” said Christine. “When the children are thriving and happy, we are delighted. And if any businesses are interested in helping us, they should get in touch with Shauna.”

Last but not least, there were peels of laughter as Catherine Doherty, who has two daughters at Longtower, recalled getting ‘Star of the Week’ for being the Easter Bunny.

“It was just amazing to see all the excitement on the kids’ faces. They got to do a wee egg hunt around the park and they all got an Easter egg at the end. The excitement for the Easter bunny to come into the school for the younger ones was just amazing to see.”

As we finished up, Shauna added: “We really want to thank everyone because it is so obvious to us we are asking people for pounds in the middle of a cost of living crisis. We are so grateful for how kind the parents and families are at Long Tower and how much support they have given us this year.”