Oscar winner James Martin backs campaign to raise £100,000 for new playgrounds at his former school

Oscar-winning actor James Martin is backing a campaign to raise £100,000 for new playgrounds at his former school in Belfast.

Mr Martin, the first person with Down’s Syndrome to win an Academy Award, said he hopes he can “raise awareness” of the initiative to build and repair playgrounds at the two campuses belonging to Harberton Special School.

The playgrounds at both sites, located in north and south Belfast, are not fit for use and the school said it has “exhausted all other avenues and is left with no option but to try and raise funds in this way”.

Ex-pupil Martin, who starred in the Oscar-winning short film An Irish Goodbye, said: “I loved my time at the school, it helped me become the man I am today.

Call for ‘overwhelming response’ as Orange Order members urged to attend rally opposing Boyne Bridge demolition

Condemnation after soup mix spread across altar of Co Tyrone church

“A playground is a basic need for a child so I hope I can help raise awareness of Harberton’s plight and get word out there.

“Who knows, maybe we could even help the next Oscar winner on their way to success.”

Principal James Curran said a playground is needed for each site.

“Our pupils have a wide range of learning needs, and many have medical conditions that impact every aspect of their day, so a playground isn’t just about getting exercise and having fun,” he said.

“For a child with very complicated needs, the opportunity to get outside in a safe and supervised space is built into their daily routines, often as a reward system and used as an incentive for learning.

“So not having a playground for these pupils is hugely damaging to their development.”

The playground in the south Belfast campus has completely deteriorated and has been closed, while at the north Belfast campus, an urgent upgrade is needed.

Mr Curran said they have exhausted many avenues of potential funding, with no success.

“With funding in education at an all time low, what our school campuses need cannot be provided via Stormont, the Department of Education or the Education Authority so we - the school, its pupils and parents - are taking up the challenge ourselves,” he added.

A spokesperson for the Education Authority said: “We are firmly committed to ensuring that the children and young people at Harberton Special School have access to safe and nurturing play facilities.

“The EA commissioned an independent condition survey of the play facilities which did not identify a requirement to close the playground.

“A number of works have been identified within the condition survey which EA are committed to completing within the additional £5m maintenance funding allocation for all Special Schools announced by the Department of Education in October 2023.

“We will continue to liaise with the principal to address any concerns.”

To donate to the fundraiser, please click here - https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/harbertonsprojectplaygrounds