VOLUNTEERS from a building company helped transform an old shower block into a fitness suite at a Huddersfield school for youngsters with disabilities.

Employees from Rok joined staff at Longley School in a weekend of activity to prepare the floors, lay new carpets, tile and decorate the building ready for the installation of specialist gym equipment.

The tiled walls of the old-fashioned, communal shower block – which had been out of use for a number of years – had already been demolished to make way for the changes.

The work comes after Rok completed a series of projects in the Kirklees area – including a major refurbishment of Huddersfield Town Hall and the completion of new children’s centres at St Mary’s School in Gomersal and Pentland Infant and Junior School in Dewsbury.

Suppliers who helped with the work at Longley School included Johnsons and Leyland paint in Huddersfield, owned by PPG; DIY store B&Q; Grangefield Flooring in Leeds; Home Solutions in Huddersfield; and Dulux Huddersfield. Pizza Hut delivered pizzas for the hungry workers on both days.

Paul Franklin, area leader for Rok in Wakefield, said: “We have been carrying out an increasing amount of work in Huddersfield during the last 12 months, particularly in the education sector, and the school approached us to see if we could help with its plans for refurbishment.

“The new gym project has been a great way of putting something into the community and working with people to make life better for people who live and work in the area.”

Phil Gibbins, head teacher at Longley School, said: “We have had this idea for changing the use of the block for some time.

“I am pleased to say that after we approached Rok to help out, we now have a gym facility ready to be filled with equipment and put to good use when the pupils return from the summer holidays.”