While children enjoyed their half term break, the workers gave up their spare time to swoop on Tillington Manor Primary School in Stafford and give the main hall a makeover.
The refurbishment was undertaken by the team carrying out work on behalf of Highways England to upgrade the M6 between junctions 13 (Stafford) and 15 (Stoke-on-Trent) into a smart motorway.
The work will improve journeys in the area by adding extra capacity and technology to the motorway.
As a 'thank-you' for the support of the community during this exciting new motorway upgrade, construction firm Kier, which is working on the M6 project, runs a Smart Giving scheme offering practical help to local charities, projects, educational establishments or vulnerable groups.
Tillington Manor was highlighted as in need of a spruce-up and workers from the smart motorway project took up the challenge.
From the red gloss skirting boards to the top of the newly-painted walls, and after removing hundreds of staples, the hall has been given a complete facelift. As well as the decorating, the team went 'above and beyond' with a few extra chores including clearing out the guttering.
Highways England smart motorways project sponsor Peter Smith said:
We were delighted to be able to give a little something back to the local community and are grateful to the workers for volunteering their time.
Highways England is grateful for the patience of communities living near the motorway while this important upgrade is carried out.
Chairman of the governors and borough and county councillor Jonathan Price dropped in on the workers to personally say thank you for the work they had done. Councillor Price said:
I cannot express how grateful the school, pupils and myself as chairman of the governors are for the work that has been done. And what a great bunch of guys they were.
The hall was looking very tired, it needed work doing. I am so impressed with the work that has been done, it has given the school a new lease of life. The children were really chuffed when they saw it.
For these guys to volunteer their own time to do this, it is just phenomenal.
Richard French, Kier highways project director, said:
As a project we will be working in the area for several years, we're keen to be a good neighbour and to help support the local communities around us. This painting project is an ideal example of one where we can contribute by volunteering time to improve a local amenity, we are delighted that this one will benefit school children from the community.
Smart Giving commits time and resource from the smart motorway project to benefit the communities where it is based and where some of the resulting construction activities may cause disruption.
Making use of a wide range of skills, expertise and the personal commitment of the project team, the scheme aims to provide long-lasting benefits and a legacy for the community.
There is no offer of financial support, the scheme is very much geared to committing time to the group and matching the skills available to the benefit of local people.
General enquiries
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