At Ferguson Marine, we believe in the power of community, and in using our skills and resources to make a meaningful difference where we can. That’s why we were honoured to support Craigmarloch School in Inverclyde as it rebuilds its beloved garden space after a devastating act of vandalism last year.

The garden which was created by and cared for by the students, was an important part of the school. Not just a green space, but a learning environment, a calming place, and a great source of pride for the kids involved.

Shortly after the incident, a member of our team asked if there was something we could do to help. A group of colleagues quickly volunteered to assist with the clean-up, but we felt we could go further by offering not only our time but our craftsmanship as well.

We decided to build a new centrepiece for the garden, a custom-designed ship structure, inspired by the style of our own vessels and constructed by our experienced tradespeople.

In the weeks that followed, we worked closely with the school to bring the idea to life. Pupils were even invited to visit our yard for a tour and a first look at the structure during its construction, an experience that gave the pupils important insight into the shipyard and helped build excitement in a new vision for the garden.

During the Easter break, we were proud to officially deliver the completed ship to Craigmarloch School. It will now take pride of place in the renewed garden, offering students a fun and imaginative space to explore and enjoy for years to come.

Frances Rice, Apprentice Coordinator at Ferguson Marine, said: "Seeing the kids' faces when they saw the ship for the first time was unforgettable. Their enthusiasm and pride reminded us exactly why we do things like this."

George Walker, Head Teacher at Craigmarloch School, said: "The support we’ve received from Ferguson Marine has been incredible. The new ship isn’t just a structure, it’s a symbol of how our school is supported by the wider community."

We’re deeply grateful to Craigmarloch School for allowing us to be a part of this journey and want to thank both Inverclyde Council for its support throughout the project and Galt transport which very kindly gave its time, people, and equipment to move the structure up to the school for us.

As a company with roots embedded in the fabric of Inverclyde, we’re proud of our connection to local schools and we remain committed to using our skills and resources to support our community.