SCHOOLS around the county are eagerly collecting The Evening Star's Cash for Schools tokens today.With more than £25,000 to give away primary schools such as Whatfield, along with special schools and nurseries are well under way with their quest for a share of the windfall.

SCHOOLS around the county are eagerly collecting The Evening Star's Cash for Schools tokens today.

With more than £25,000 to give away primary schools such as Whatfield, along with special schools and nurseries are well under way with their quest for a share of the windfall.

Whether it's computers, books or science equipment every school has an idea how they will spend the money and with budgets tighter than ever Cash for Schools can really make a difference.

For the youngsters at one specialist school in Ipswich, any money is an added bonus.

The 70 at Belstead School urgently need new play equipment at a cost of £14,000.

Headteacher Sue Chesworth said: "The equipment has had about 25 years of kids bouncing and playing on it and there are now more fire regulations which have to be taken into consideration.

"It needs replacing urgently as it is a desperate resource for us, providing relaxation as well as being used in PE sessions – it is a safe area for wheelchair and epileptics to relax."

Fundraising for the project began in June and currently £3,000 has been raised.

When the figure is eventually reached the school hopes to rent out the area to play schemes when it is not in use.

Mrs Chesworth added: "The students are the main priority but we would like to loan out the facilities.

"We have done a lot of fundraising, raising money at the Christmas fair, through sponsored walks – I am planning a ten mile sponsored swim myself."

Anyone who wishes to help with fundraising should contact the school on 01473 556200.

Does your school have a fundraising story it would like to share, contact the Evening Star at 30, Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email starnews@eveningstar.co.uk.