The pupils at Barbara Priestman School for children with special needs have drawn up their dream vision to transform the school grounds into a perfect area to learn and play.

Now the whole community is coming together to bring that vision to life as part of the Echo's Wear1 campaign to celebrate all that's great about Sunderland, and make it even better.

IF you can help out with the Barbara Priestman School ground project by providing any of these items or materials, please contact Maureen Scott on (0191) 501 7144.

Any amount of materials would be welcome.

All supporters will see their names on a Wear1 roll of honour.

FOR BUSINESSES:
- Timber decking, – 72m2
- Round-log edging (600mm high) – 45m
- Play shop
- Coloured perspex in timber frame
- Post box
- Bench seating
- Recycling bins
- Wooden table
- Picnic table
- Timber shed
- Plants
- Paving (450 x 450) – 885m2
- Tactile Paving, 114m2
- Rubberised surface – 101m2
- Pin kerbs – 1,378m
- Keyblok paving – 551m2
- Macadam – 845m2
- Pin Kerbs – 1,378m

FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS:
- Plants
- Wooden table
- Picnic table
- Composter
- Rotary washing line
- Bird table

Challenge Wear1 is being run in a similar way to the 1990s BBC programme Challenge Anneka, which saw broadcaster Anneka Rice persuading people to give their time and support to help out good causes.

But this time it's Wear1 that's putting out the call to arms.
The project has already seen designers at campaign partner gentoo work with children at Barbara Priestman to come up with stunning plans for a complete makeover of the site.

And the Wear1 Fund has donated £10,000 to the project. Partners are stepping in to provide labour, materials and cash – now it's up to you.

Echo editor Rob Lawson said: "It would be a tremendous thing for Sunderland if everyone could come together and make this project happen.

"If there's one thing Wear1 has shown over the past few years, it's that the community spirit is still strong in the city.

"We've showcased some incredibly dedicated and generous individuals and organisations throughout the campaign, and I hope with so many kind-hearted, community-minded people in Sunderland we will be able to see something really special done for the children at Barbara Priestman School."

A sensory garden, wildlife areas, maze, sculpture garden and zones where children can learn outside are just part of the plans for the site.

Also planned is an amphitheatre for performances and story time and a place for pupils to enjoy lunch on warm days.

>> FULL STORY in Wednesday's Sunderland Echo

But it's only all possible if businesses, groups and individuals pitch in to help out.

Deputy head teacher Alan Carrick said: "We are so grateful to the companies and individuals who are supporting this project already, but we need more people to get involved and offer their help.

"So often, the children who deserve the most in life go unrewarded, and this makeover will reverse that.

"Anyone who gets involved will not have met such a charming and appreciative group of young people; this truly will change their lives, and the lives of the many other students who attend the school in future years."

The project will see the grounds of the school get a complete facelift, making it easily accessible for wheelchair users and dotted with activities and equipment.

The grand plans were the brainchild of the team at gentoo living, the housing group's social investment wing.

Head of social investment at gentoo living Val Milnes said: "We are delighted to be able play a part in the makeover of Barbara Priestman School. As a wheelchair user, I understand the issues that many of the students there face, and it is fantastic that gentoo is able to contribute to making things better for such deserving young people."