Friends of Cann Bridge School Host Spectacular Carnival Ball to Launch £150,000 Playground Appeal
Plymouth, UK – Friday 15 May 2026
The Friends of Cann Bridge School brought together families, staff, and supporters for a vibrant and inspiring Carnival Ball at the Crowne Plaza, Plymouth, on Friday evening, celebrating the school’s exceptional community while officially launching the Upper School Playground Appeal.
With powerful images from the evening and exciting design plans for the new playground now being shared, the school is calling on the wider community to help bring this transformational project to life.
The event marked a significant moment for Cann Bridge School, uniting current and former families, staff, governors, and local partners in a shared commitment to improving opportunities for pupils with complex learning needs.
Headteacher Shane Baker described the evening as a celebration of everything that makes the school so special:
“Cann Bridge is a very special school, and I feel incredibly proud to be its fourth Headteacher in its 63-year history. The Carnival Ball was about celebrating our community, everything that makes it unique, and raising awareness of what our learners can achieve.”
The Ball also marked the formal launch of the Upper School Playground Appeal, an ambitious £150,000 project to redevelop the school’s outdoor space into a fully inclusive, engaging, and stimulating environment. The new playground will provide enhanced opportunities for physical development, sensory exploration, and social interaction, ensuring pupils have access to a space that reflects the high-quality education they receive inside the classroom.
Highlighting the school’s journey of improvement, Mr Baker added:
“Over the past three and a half years, our staff team has worked tirelessly to strengthen what we do best and ensure our pupils receive the very best start in life. This evening is a celebration of our core values, aspirational, learner-focused, collaborative, and progressive, in action.”
The evening showcased the strength and generosity of the Cann Bridge community, with thanks extended to key supporters including:
• Mark Ormrod and Chris Warne (Kaya Gallery), who hosted the evening
• Thrive Recruitment, supporting fundraising through the Plymouth Half Marathon
• Creative Play and design partners helping bring the playground vision to life
• The Jolly Miller team, whose fundraising events have already raised over £1,200
• The Crowne Plaza, for hosting the event and donating auction prizes
Guests enjoyed outstanding entertainment from Liv4Dance, Onyx, Rosie’s Rainbow Circus, The 52nd Street Band, and DJ Stormy, alongside a successful raffle and auction supported by generous donations from local businesses and individuals.
Chair of the Friends of Cann Bridge, Michelle Prue, paid tribute to those who made the evening possible and the wider community support behind the appeal:
“We are incredibly proud of what was achieved at the Carnival Ball and so grateful to everyone who made it happen. A huge thank you to our dedicated Charity Ball Committee, whose hard work and commitment brought the evening to life. We are also deeply thankful to our wider community, local businesses, and everyone who donated before and on the night. Thanks to your generosity, we have raised £7753 to kick-start our Upper School Playground Appeal.”
The success of the event builds on strong fundraising momentum, with the school already raising significant funds this year the total now stands at £14627 and is now seeking further support to reach its £150,000 goal.
Mr Baker added:
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us so far. With continued backing from our community, we can create a truly exceptional outdoor space where our pupils can thrive.”
The Carnival Ball stands as a powerful example of community in action, bringing people together to celebrate, support, and invest in the future of Cann Bridge School.
How to support:
With designs now available and momentum building, the school is encouraging individuals, businesses, and organisations to get involved and support the appeal.
For more information or to donate to the Upper School Playground Appeal, please contact Cann Bridge School or visit:
www.cannbridgeschool.co.uk/about-us/fundraising.
