CHILDREN in Bicester are celebrating after a £1,000 donation moved their school’s playground appeal closer to its target.

Moto, the operator of Cherwell Valley Services, on the M40 at Ardley, near Bicester, donated £1,000 from its Moto in the Community charity to St Mary’s School, in Queens Avenue.

Daryll Williams, back, left, of Moto Cherwell Valley, and Doreen Greville of the parent-teacher association, are pictured with pupils.

The school has been fundraising for two years for new play equipment and now has £10,700 towards the £18,000 target.

Ms Greville said: “The existing play equipment is many years old.

“The school’s getting bigger and we felt we needed something better for the children.”

She added: “We want to start the work this summer, so the children can start the new school year with new equipment in the playground.

“We’re really grateful to Moto for donating the £1,000.

“It has given the appeal a real boost.”

Cherwell Valley Services was destroyed by a fire in April last year.

Pupils delivered a roll of wallpaper decorated with pictures and messages for staff at the services a month after the fire.