YOUNGSTERS Greenock nursery will finally have an all inclusive outdoor play area after a kind hearted business came to their rescue and saved them thousands of pounds.

Hillend Children's Centre which provides vital early years learning for those with additional support needs and mainstream was in desperate need of work done.

Since a major refurbishment and extension the team at Hillend have worked hard to create areas of outdoor learning.


READ MORE:  Hillend Nursery children are helping make their garden grow


Landscape boss Shaun Pryde heard about their plight and stepped in to donate his time and services.

(Image: George Munro)

Shaun, aged 38, from Gourock, who runs S &K landscaping said: "It was something that meant a lot to me and I wanted to help. Hillend Children's Centre look after children with additional support needs.

"My son Kyle is 25 years old and he is autistic. I know how important it is that the nursery has somewhere safe for all the children to play. I wanted to give something back so I said I could help.

"The land was not great at all, so we spent time over a few weekends to flatten it all out. Now that is turfed and flat, it will be ready to go for the children in the summer.

"I just hope they all get the best out of it."

Shaun was helped by his friend Jack Ward, from Clyde Tools, who has also donated equipment to make it happen.

Hillend Children's Centre Hillend Children's Centre (Image: George Munro)

The landscape gardener then got to work levelling off the area, turfing it and making it ready for the children to enjoy.

Early learning officer Simone Scoular and all the staff were moved by the kind gesture of Shaun, helping to give children, some with complex needs, a place to play.

She said: "This would have cost us a lot of money. It was needing a lot of work done to it, The area was a mess  and there was no way we could make use of it.

"This will make a huge difference to all our children and it is hard to put in to words what it means to us. It means such a lot that he would want to do this for us.

The children recently came together with the staff to thank Shaun and Jack Ward, of Clyde Tools, for their support.