PRIZES have been presented to pupils at Curnow Community Special School in Redruth following a competition in which they provided greetings card designs for a neighbouring group of companies.

Sue Hook, group HR manager of the Rowe Group, delivered CDs, Lego sets and an activity set as suggested by the school's teachers.

She presented them to the creators of the winning designs which were used on the 2003 Christmas cards sent out by Rowe Group companies Clearwood Joinery, Horizon Roofing, Rowe Holdings and St Piran Homes (formerly David Ball Construction).

The managers and staff of each company chose their design by popular vote.

All 200 pupils, aged from two to 19, took part in the competition and they all received gifts in recognition of their efforts.

It helped strengthen the special link between the school and the companies.

The school is the adopted charity of the Rowe Group for a year, with an

ongoing programme of various fund-raising events being organized by the companies' staff.

The Rowe Group Charity Committee has been formed on behalf of all seven group companies to co-ordinate all the previously piecemeal charity activities undertaken by the employees. It will support one selected charity every year.

The Curnow School "adoption" concludes in March and the Rowe committee is now actively looking for another local charity to support for a year starting in April.

Through Rowe Group employees' activities and corporate donations, the hope is that Curnow School will benefit considerably from funds raised to buy much needed additional equipment, particularly a new climbing frame.

Curnow Community Special School caters for pupils with disabilities ranging from severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties to autistic spectrum disorder.