A NEWPORT manufacturer has donated a specialist sensory den worth more than £7,500 to primary school pupils with additional needs.

Water management specialists Asset International made the donation to Machen Primary School, after being "moved" by the fundraising efforts of one of the pupil's parents, Claire Kulisa.

Ms Kulisa, whose daughter has autism and benefitted from her time at the school, managed to complete the marathon despite breaking a leg with more than 10 miles to go.

The 39-year-old had been attempting to raise funds to buy a den for the school.

The den has since been donated and will combine a series of different lights, colour sounds and textures to provide children with additional educational needs with a safe and comforting environment to explore their senses.

Neil Bryan, who is finance director at Asset International which is based in Stephenson Road, said: “On hearing about Claire’s incredible achievement and perseverance, we were keen to support her to reach her goal in whatever way we could.

"Given the nature of our work, we were well placed to deliver the project, which we created in collaboration with Claire and the school to ensure the den was effectively designed with the children who would be using it firmly in mind.”

Ms Kulisa said she wanted to help the school by completing a marathon.

“Being the parent of an autistic child myself, I understand first-hand just how overwhelming the school environment can be for young children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) or sensory issues," said Ms Kulisa.

“Since moving to Machen three years ago, the school has provided us with so much support and made my daughter’s school life much more positive. Even though she Is now leaving to go to secondary school, I wanted to give something back to Machen Primary for all of their help. I can’t thank Asset enough for their donation, which I know will be invaluable to so many children at the school.

Headteacher Andrew Lloyd added: “We are extremely thankful to Asset International, whose generosity has enabled us to make our ambitious plans a reality. The sensory den will make a huge difference to the lives of many children at the school, both now and in the generations to come.”