New heights: Justin Polak raises funds for Johnston School at Bungee off the Bridge

A LOCAL Scaffolding company has raised £1,000 for Johnston School by taking part in the ‘Bungee off the Bridge’ event in Pembroke earlier this month.

Scaffolder Justin Polak, of JP Junior Scaffolding in Johnston, took to the 150-foot toll bridge over the River Cleddau to raise funds for his former primary school.

Justin, who is the brother of JP Scaffolding owner Jozef Polak, was left with an anxious wait at the top of the bridge after his scheduled jump slot at 11.10am was pushed back to around 12.40pm.

Justin said: “I’m absolutely delighted with the amount of money raised. Thank you to everyone who sponsored me; I think they just wanted to hear me scream!”

He added: “On the day, it was freezing cold and I did have a bit of a wait, but I didn’t mind as there were so many people taking part for good causes. The best part was being brought back in the boat! Thanks to Natalie Wilson for arranging it.

“I myself was a pupil of Johnston School, along with my brother Jozef, so it’s great to be able to give back to a great school, and the amount of money raised is brilliant. JP Junior Scaffolding will always continue to support the school in any way we can.”

Friends of Johnston School showed their support and acknowledgement of Justin’s efforts on social media, stating: “All sponsorship raised will directly benefit the pupils of Johnston School. The Friends of Johnston School would sincerely like to thank JP Scaffolding for funding Justin.”

They added: “Well done Justin, we’re all really proud of you and are sure that the children will be thrilled with your efforts!”

The scaffolding company has a long history of raising funds and donating money to charitable causes.

Every year, Jozef raises money for NSPCC Wales by organising a charity golf event, fittingly named the Jozef Polak Senior Cup. The two brothers also regularly partake in any raffles and charity events run by Johnston School.

Last year, those who took part in Bungee off the Bridge raised a collective £22k, the majority of which was donated to local charities. This year, event organiser James Parfitt also took his maiden plunge off the bridge.

Unique to Pembroke, Bungee off the Bridge is said to be the only opportunity throughout Wales to bungee jump off a bridge and, furthermore, one of just two locations in the UK.