A MUM who was ‘shocked and upset’ by the funding cuts set to hit the town’s schools has found an innovative way to help.

Website designer Pippa Stockwin founded the More 4 Schools site after hearing about the Government’s plan to introduce a new school funding formula, which will see schools in the town lose almost a quarter of a million pounds a year

Pippa is a member of the PTA at Bradshaw Primary School, where her seven-year-old son Bodhi is a pupil, and was inspired to create a website where individual schools can say what resources they need and members of the public can donate money towards them.

The 36-year-old said: “I got the letter about the cuts and thought how terrible it was. I wanted to do something to help.

“There’s a lot of doom and gloom about funding at the moment, I thought this was a positive thing we could do.”

Pippa, from Latchford, said children should not miss out on happy, memorable schooldays because of a Government policy.

“I’m a mum myself. I remember what it was like to go on school trips. Those experiences stick in your memory, they are happy memories. I want to make sure all children have the opportunity to have those happy experiences too,” said Pippa.

“But the budget is not there and it’s not going to get any better.”

Warrington remains one of the 10 worst funded areas in the country for education, with head teachers saying they have become more reliant on help from parents and nearby businesses to meet costs.

Visitors to the website have the opportunity to select the school they want to support, make a donation, then bid on the resources the school needs.

Pippa added: “You would spend £5 on a bottle of wine and not think twice about it. It we all got together we could make a big difference and help bridge the gap.

“I know some people say we shouldn’t have to pay but the only way we are going to resolve certain things is by getting involved.

“Maybe this will get big and maybe the Government will do something to help.”

The business was only launched a month ago but there has already been interest from teachers and head teachers all over the country.

Visit more4schools.co.uk.