A school in Hampshire has its tropical aquarium up and running again after the original tank was smashed during a violent break in.
Earlier this month, staff and pupils at Grange Community Junior School in Farnborough were greeted by the sight of the smashed tank and gallons of water all over the floor in the reception area when they arrived at the school the following morning.
Police had arrived at the scene late on the evening of November 3 after the school’s alarm was activated. They managed to save some of the fish, which had been left lying on the carpet, by putting them back in water, reports Get Hampshire, and those surviving fish have since been transferred to an aquarium at another school. But unfortunately, some of the fish were beyond help.
Headteacher Paola Burgess told Eagle Radio that not much had actually been taken in the break-in and that it seemed to have been little more than an act of vandalism, with doors, tables and glass being broken. But the children at the school had been left particularly upset by the deaths of the fish.
However, there’s a happy ending to the story. Local aquatic retailer Lynchford Aquatics has stepped forward to help, and has donated a new aquarium to the school, free of charge. The first fish went in last week and have settled in nicely.
Kevin Rose of Lynchford Aquatics told PFK that there were several reasons why he wanted the store to get involved. "We looked after and maintained the original aquarium and following the vandalism it was clear the children were really upset about it and the tank would be missed. I felt it would be a nice thing to do by donating and installing the aquarium and contents. I am also on the board of directors with OATA and feel it's really important to try and engage children with keeping fish to help preserve the hobby. This school is especially keen to involve the children, so everyone benefits.
"We have also been approached by local companies with offers of donations to help restock the aquarium. It seems that they have been moved by the story and have felt compelled to offer help which is really nice."
"We are so very grateful to them," Ms Burgess said, adding that the smiles are now back on the faces of the children. "We are just so, so happy to have it back again. To see the fish tank back in its place again, it's wonderful."
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