YOUNGSTERS at Springfield Infants School in Ipswich are getting ready to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee in style.Staff, children and parents are looking forward to throwing a big playground party – but the fun won't end there.

By Judy Rimmer

YOUNGSTERS at Springfield Infants School in Ipswich are getting ready to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee in style.

Staff, children and parents are looking forward to throwing a big playground party – but the fun won't end there.

They also want to raise £12,000 for a new-look Jubilee Playground, with equipment which will transform playtime for pupils at the school in Bramford Lane.

"At the moment this area is just a patch of grass," said headteacher Sue Knight. "But we want to turn it into a fun trail, with a range of equipment which will help the children to keep fit."

She added the aim was to invite nurseries and playgroups in the immediate area to use the equipment too, so it would really be an asset for the community.

"The equipment isn't all that expensive, but the main cost is the safety surface, which is essential."

The school's parent-teacher association has already raised £3,000 towards the cost of the project and applied for lottery cash from the New Opportunities Fund.

Now one of the teachers, Lisa Booker, and two mums, Claire Disney and Wendy Cook, are planning to take part in a sponsored abseil at the maternity block at Ipswich Hospital in May, in a bid to raise more funds.

"I'm scared of heights and I felt a bit nervous when I went past the maternity block the other day!," confessed Mrs Disney.

Children will also be joining in the fundraising, with a sponsored sports event on May 30, followed by their jubilee playground party on the following day.

"All the children will be presented with special commemorative medals to mark the Golden Jubilee," said Mrs Knight.

If you would like to sponsor the people taking part in the sponsored abseil, please write to Springfield Infants School, Bramford Lane, Ipswich, IP1 4AY.