COMMUNITY-MINDED colleagues rolled up their sleeves to transform rooms at Greenbank School.

A team of volunteers spent seven hours redecorating residential areas at the Hartford school.

The work was organised by Paul and Sarah Benjamin, whose 11-year-old daughter Phoebe recently started at the school, which caters for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Paul, from Northwich, is a territory store manager for the Dulux Decorator Centre, and he and colleagues gave their time for free to for the project.

Paul’s wife Sarah works for the company at its head office, and organised a bake sale to raise money for new furnishings for the rooms.

“We redecorated two communal lounge areas, three bedrooms, an entrance hall, feature wall areas in two further rooms and a small changing room,” said Mr Benjamin.

“We had 15 volunteers made up from Dulux Decorator Centre teams from head office and north west stores, along with two volunteers from Matalan in Northwich.

“From the bake sale we raised £481, with which we bought 15 full sets of bedding including quilts, pillows, sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases.

“The rooms have been transformed, and we would like to thank everyone for their hard work and support.”

Head teacher Mike McCann said: “The work undertaken by Paul and his colleagues has made a big difference, and the children were delighted when they saw the rooms.”

Pupils had a say in the colours used, and Mr McCann thanked everyone for their efforts, including Mrs Benjamin for her fundraising for new furnishings.