CCS Donates £500 to Help Forest School Recover After Vandalism

A community fundraising effort to help a popular Forest School recover from repeated acts of vandalism has received a welcome boost after Andover-based company CCS donated £500 towards its recovery.

Whittle & S’more Forest School, based in Ludgershall near CCS’s headquarters, was targeted twice within just two days, leaving extensive damage to its outdoor learning environment.

The Forest School, which provides children and their caregivers with a safe, welcoming space to explore nature, learn new skills and build confidence, first revealed on 19 July that the site had been broken into and vandalised. In a later update, organisers said the destruction had become “100 times worse” following a second incident.

The attacks left broken toys, smashed equipment, ransacked storage sheds and widespread damage across the outdoor setting, affecting a small independent organisation that relies on its facilities to deliver outdoor learning sessions for local families.

Recognising the impact the vandalism has had on the community project, CCS has donated £500 to help fund repairs and replacements.

Founded in 2007 by directors Danny Gladwyn and Trevor Dempsey, CCS began by providing affordable, high-quality boiler installations and servicing within the social housing sector. Since then, the business has grown significantly and now employs more than 200 people, delivering projects across the heating, electrical and retrofit sectors.

The company has built a reputation for investing in its workforce, embracing innovation and promoting sustainable, energy-efficient solutions, while continuing to support communities across the region.

CCS said it hopes its donation, alongside support from the wider community, will help restore the much-loved Forest School as quickly as possible.

A fundraising campaign has also been launched by local supporter Ellie, who set up a GoFundMe page to help owner Kerry rebuild the Forest School after the repeated attacks.

Explaining the appeal, Ellie said the vandalism had destroyed much of Kerry’s hard work and affected a facility that provides valuable opportunities for children and families throughout the local community.

Kerry has thanked everyone who has donated and offered support, saying the response has been overwhelming.

She said the money raised will be used to repair and replace damaged equipment and resources, improve security and storage, recover losses caused by the vandalism and strengthen the business so it can continue providing a safe and welcoming environment for local families.

Whittle & S’more Forest School follows a child-centred approach to outdoor learning, encouraging children to explore, discover and develop confidence through supported risk-taking, problem-solving and hands-on experiences in nature. Children attend sessions alongside a parent or caregiver, with activities designed to promote resilience, self-esteem and a lifelong appreciation of the natural world.