BROMSGROVE’S Rigby Hall School has received the 50th Variety Club Sunshine Coach to be donated by an insolvency firm.
The coach was officially handed over to the school by Brummie comedian Jasper Carrott and staff from Poppleton and Appleby, which has offices in Birmingham and Coventry.
The donation came after a star-studded annual golf day which marked 29 years of support and involvement between the company and The Variety Club Golfing Society which helps to improve the lives of sick, disabled and disadvantaged children.
Rigby Hall headteacher Sarah Radford said the coach was both needed and much-valued.
“It allows us to get more of our students out and about in the community, which in turn creates a culture of independence and broadens their horizons.
“The new minibus already had its first trip planned before collection – a week in the Lake District with 11 of our year ten students on an outward bounds adventure residential, an annual event for the future.
“We can’t thank Poppleton and Appleby, and The Variety Club enough for their support to achieve this.”
Martin Coyne, partner at Poppleton and Appleby, added: “This year’s event was the most successful yet and we were delighted to hand over the keys to our 50th Sunshine Coach.
“The Rigby Hall School caters for students with a variety of special education needs so it will be of great benefit to them helping the teachers to provide additional services and organise outdoor trips.”
Guests attending the golf day and gala dinner at Marriott St Pierre Hotel and Country Club in Chepstow, included Strictly Come Dancing’s Len Goodman and Anton Du Beke, captain of the Variety Club Golf Society.
Comedians Gary Marshall and Rod Woodward were also joined by singers Jess Conrad and Mark Porter to provide the entertainment.
