A ONCE tired and dated outdoor space at a Bournemouth special school has been transformed into a new multi-sensory learning area.

Children at Linwood School in Alma Road are enjoying testing out their brand new outdoor gym and climbing wall, paid for by dedicated fundraisers at telecommunications company 4Com.

The 4Com Foundation is a charitable trust that picked Linwood School as its chosen good cause for 2014 and set about raising £24,000.

Fundraising challenges, including a 42-mile walk in under 18 hours and a parachute jump, ensured the target was reached in less than a year.

The money improved the outdoor space at the school, which will benefit 232 pupils aged between three and 18 with severe learning and physical disabilities.

The school had old equipment that was in need of constant maintenance and was not accessible to all children. The school could not afford to improve the outdoor space itself as all funding is spent inside the school.

Sue James, assistant head teacher at Linwood School, said: “We are just immensely grateful to 4Com for what they have achieved and the hard work which they have put into raising this money.

“It’s benefited the children greatly, especially the older ones. It’s had a huge impact on their learning, we’re really impressed.

“They have just transformed the area for us and the children are absolutely delighted with the results.

“But it’s not just about the fundraising, 4Com have been very closely involved with the school all the way along, which has been wonderful.”