AN AMBITIOUS campaign has been launched by Bromsgrove’s Chadsgrove School which needs to raise £28,000 in just nine months to replace its ageing minibus.
An application is currently being readied to the Lord’s Taverners for a new specially-adapted bus and the school’s amount will be match-funded by the charity.
The minibus Chadsgrove has at the moment is in a bad state of repair – it is starting to rust and the roof leaks.
Without the minibus the school will struggle to provide pupils with transport for trips and other activities.
The children and young people enjoy undertaking adventurous outdoor pursuits, such as sailing, zip wiring and trails which help pupils build their self-confidence and improve their resilience.
The minibus is also used to take children to sports activities, games and competitions.
Pupils’ communication, social and teamwork skills are improved through playing Lord’s Taverners Boccia, County Table Cricket, panathlon, powerchair football and other sports.
The minibus also provides transport for pupils looking towards their next stage of education, taking them to colleges, day centres and work experience placements.
Headteacher Deb Rattley said: “The current minibus is 15 years old and has served us well but it is no longer fit for purpose.
“The £28,000 seems like a daunting amount at the moment so we are hoping as many people, business and organisations as possible will give us a helping hand.
“Catshill and Bromsgrove as a whole has terrific community spirit and we hope thy will back this drive which will help us provide so many activities for hundreds of children in the next 15 years.”
Chadsgrove has a roll of 134 pupils, aged between two to 19.
As well as Bromsgrove, it also has students from the rest of Worcestershire, Birmingham, Solihull and even as far as Staffordshire.
Anyone who can help, either by pledging cash or organising fund-raising activities should call business manager Jacqueline Pitt on 01527 8715111.
There is also a JustGiving page – justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chadsgroveschool – where cash can be donated.
