Dumbarton pupils boosted by donation of new eco flag

Feb 5 2010 by Tina Kemp, Lennox Herald (main ed)

PUPILS at a Dumbarton school are celebrating just days after a mean thief stole their eco flag.

The St Patrick’s Primary youngsters were left devastated when their hard-earned Green Flag was stolen from outside the school in Crosslet Road last weekend.

But after the incident was highlighted in the Lennox Herald, two businesses stepped in to help.

Now a new flag, together with a replacement, have been ordered, much to the delight of youngsters who spent months working towards achieving eco status.

They had planned a fundraising drive to raise money for a new flag after a thief scaled their flagpole and made off with the original, earned in 2008.

Claire Thomson, teacher and eco co-ordinator, said: “After the story appeared in the Lennox Herald we first got a call from a company called SKANSKA, who are currently working in West Dunbartonshire schools through a contract for heating maintenance. They service our own heating and knew the school.

“They offered to pay for a new flag and to come out and look at adjusting the pole to make it harder for anyone to take the flag in the future.

“They sent someone out the same day and moved the rope higher up the pole.

“I then received a call from Alan McMullen of the Environment Trust, a charitable trust who work locally with communities to regenerate and improve their environment. He also offered to pay for a new flag.

“I explained that we had an offer from another company but asked if he was willing to pay for us to have a spare one, both for wear and tear but also in case it ever was stolen again. He agreed that he was happy for us to buy a spare.”

Claire has now ordered the flags and hopes to invite the donors to the school to see them.

She added: “It may be a small gesture financially to them but it’s so helpful to us.”