The school community around St Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School in Leigh have come together to create an outdoor prayer garden.

The garden, which is reachable by an arch just outside the school, was put together thanks to the work of volunteers and parents who donated items.

They asked the school community for help when the idea was first circulated and were overwhelmed with items donated.

There was even help from a local company called Cheshire Gates, who donated both equipment and time to help build the garden.

Sarah Kidman, RE and Music Lead at the school, said: “To enhance our children's spiritual school life and follow in the Pope's message, we asked our school community for any donations to create the outdoor space.

“We were inundated with support and items: pallets, wheels, pots, plants, artificial grass and even an arbour.

“I then put out a request for any community help to build the garden, since I have no skill with a drill!

“Again, parents and volunteers came to our aid and spent a sunny day turning the donations into an amazing space. We even had one local company, "Cheshire Gates”, donate their time and equipment to build it.

“We had a vision to create a small oasis of calm for our children, and we have been blown away by the commitment and support we have had from our community.”

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