Neilsland Primary School’s grounds are extensive and offer potential to enhance the pupils’ learning, but need improvements to allow that to happen.

The Parent Council put out the word through the Community Wish List and, thanks to the generosity of the Bell Group, the school now has two raised planter beds where the children can watch nature weave its magic.

The Newhouse branch of the nationwide property services business supplied, built and painted the planters, equivalent in value to a donation of £650.

Lindsay Backer, Chairperson of the Parent Council, said: “We are so grateful to The Bell Group for building us these two fantastic planters – they listened to our needs and quickly delivered on their promise.

“The children are really looking forward to planting seeds or bulbs in the spring, and have lots of ideas already of what they want to plant. They are also considering herbs or vegetables that they can then use in their cooking lesson.” 

Although the Bell Group is one of the biggest companies of its type in the country, with branches right across the UK, it has its head office in Lanarkshire and local Branch Manager Martin Bradburn was only too happy to help when he heard about the school’s needs through the Wish List.

Martin said: “At Bell, community support is not just a choice, but a responsibility woven into our core values. Corporate Social Responsibility isn't an add-on – it defines who we are.

“The Community Wish List supports our targeted approach to delivering social value within communities. It helps us identify areas and organisations that are reaching out for help and in turn links their need to the opportunity for us to help.

“We were delighted to have the opportunity to support Neilsland Primary School in its attempts to create brighter community spaces with additional educational value and the chance to enjoy something new.”

The list was created by the council to enable groups and organisations to make requests for specific support to benefit their local community, including cash donations.

The Community Wish List is supported by South Lanarkshire Council’s Community Engagement Team.

Chair of the council's Finance and Corporate Resources Committee, Councillor Lesley McDonald, said: "This is another great example of the Community Wish List and the benefits it can bring to local communities and organisations.

"I would like to thank the Bell Group and all of the other companies who have so generously donated so far."

Local community groups can still submit a wish to the community wish list.

To find out more, go to the council website, send an email, or call 0303 123 1017.

Please note there are no guarantees that every request will be selected, nor can there be a timeframe given of when or if requests will be taken forward, as the process depends on contractors and suppliers choosing a suitable and feasible cause to support.