AN engineering company has carved out a reputation for solving complex challenges – but its latest mission was a little more spook-tacular than usual.
Forth swapped high-tech project work for Halloween magic when it answered a call for help from a local primary school.
The Maryport-based company sprang into action after Ewanrigg Juniors asked for help with its annual pumpkin-picking event. And rather than keep all the treats in one basket, Forth extended its generosity to Moor Row Community Primary School.
Forth CEO Mark Telford said: “Ewanrigg’s request inspired me to donate pumpkins to them and to copy the idea for Moor Row. I’m on the board of governors there and my son Matthew attends the school.
“Acting headteacher Fiona Kennedy is doing a great job and I wanted to recognise that, and to save them a bit of money when budgets are tight. I’d like to thank Whitehaven Morrisons, who jumped at the chance to help both schools by offering the pumpkins at a reduced rate.
“Forth works around the world but we’re rooted in West Cumbria. We try to help the area however we can.”
After receiving the call for help, Mark contacted several supermarkets in the area to see if they could help.
When Morrisons stepped up, he immediately assembled a Forth pumpkin task force and collected two pallets, before delivering the monster haul to delighted pupils.
Ewanrigg Junior School headteacher Shelley McGlasson said: “Our Friends group contacted Forth to ask if they could help, but we didn’t know the pumpkins were coming. When they turned up on the Monday morning, we were running around the school telling each other!
“Organised Halloween events can be very expensive. We thought we would bring the event to our community, so it was affordable and accessible to all. Our Pumpkin Picking was £5 a ticket for the children and free for adults. We had 290 pumpkins, more than half of them from Forth. It was such a big help. We had Halloween trails, crafts, games, face painting, and free refreshments courtesy of Aroma Takeaway.
“About 400 people attended, including almost all of our 132 pupils, many of their parents, and people from the wider community. It was about bringing the community together, and giving the children experiences that other children have. There were so many smiles on faces. It was wonderful. Many thanks to Friends of Ewanrigg for organising it.”
Fiona Kennedy at Moor Row Community Primary School, said: “Mark suggested giving us some pumpkins. I said ‘Wonderful!’ An hour later they arrived on the back of a pick-up truck in two massive trollies. There were 72 – one for each child in the school.
“It was amazing. Parents have been coming in and talking about how their children have carved their pumpkins.
“Because we’re a tiny school, we barely get any funding. This kind of help from Forth means we can do fun things that are so enriching for the children that we wouldn’t be able to do otherwise.”
A total of 233 pumpkins were delivered.
Forth is one of the largest privately owned engineering companies in Cumbria, specialising in bespoke solutions for highly regulated industries including nuclear, oil and gas, and renewables.
