Bus helps pupils keep on the move

AFTER 18 months of fundraising The Willows School has taken delivery of its brand new mini bus.

The bus will help the Thurcroft students, who have a range of learning difficulties, including speech and language, ASD and emotional and behavioural difficulties, to get around.

The school had to raise £13,500, half of the cost of the bus, with the Sunshine Coach programme run by children’s charity Variety paying for the other half.

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“It was really great to raise the money we needed in just 18 months and we want to thank everyone who came to an event or made a donation,” said the school’s head of maths Rachael Booth.

Over the last 18-months staff, students and parents have been busy holding pie, pea and bingo nights, Christmas, summer and Easter fairs, auctions and sponsored walks.

“We had two mini buses but one of them got sent to the scrap yard so we had to find another,” said Rachael.

“As a school we really need them both. Our children have moderate learning difficulties and use the busses to go to local mainstream schools and colleges for some lessons.”

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“Being able to do that really enhances and enriches their curriculum. The buses are in use every single day.”

“The kids would suffer without them, and what we are able to offer them would have had to be narrowed with just one bus.”

The coach was presented to the school by the Evans family, who run the Leeds-based Evans Property Group and are long-time supporters of the children’s charity.

Andreas Evans said: “It is clear the work Variety does to help disadvantaged children makes a substantial difference to the experiences and quality of life these children enjoy.”

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“We at Evans Group and the Evans family itself count our blessings to be in a position to help Variety in its endeavours.”

Variety provides practical help and specialist equipment through its grants programmes, as well as creating memorable childhood experiences with its Variety at Work scheme.

To find out more visit www.varietyclub.org.uk

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