The comedian Jason Manford, on behalf of Variety, the Children’s Charity, has presented its bespoke Sunshine Coach to the pupils of NORSACA’s Sutherland House School in Carlton, Nottingham.
The specially designed vehicle, which has been sponsored by Leeds Building Society, will be used to transport the pupils on a number of educational and social outings. Variety is one of the four partner charities of Leeds Building Society.
NORSACA is the largest specialist autism charity in the East Midlands, and was originally founded by a group of parents in 1968. Sutherland House School is a specialist day school run by NORSACA for pupils and students with autism. The school operates across five sites in Nottingham providing education provision for up to 94 pupils and students between the ages of 3 and 19.
The new Variety Sunshine Coach will offer the children the opportunity to experience the outside world in a safe and secure way through a number of trips and activities. The coach will be used every school day and during afterschool and holiday clubs.
Manford said: “I am particularly pleased to be able to present the coach to Sutherland House School, which does such a fantastic job providing specialist education for so many children with autism. Through friends, I have an understanding of how complex a condition autism can be and how important specialist provision is to children, parents and families.”
Chris Ord, Leeds Building Society’s regional sales manager, said: “We are very proud to be sponsoring this Variety Sunshine Coach. We are delighted to offer support to disadvantaged children and young people who deserve to participate in every aspect of school life and to spread their wings into the community. This coach will enable them to do this.”
Melanie Howard, fund generation manager for NORSACA, added: “We would like to thank everyone who has helped make this donation possible, particularly Variety, Leeds Building Society and all those who supported at our charity ball in the summer. The Sunshine coach will ensure that pupils at the Sutherland House are able to access a wide range of activities and events in the community.”
Laurence Davis, Variety’s Chief Barker said, “Since 1962, we have donated over 5,000 Sunshine Coaches – that’s more than 100 a year. Variety’s specialist minibuses ensure that children can interact with the world around them and experience a fun, entertaining and educational environment, whilst ensuring they are transported as safely as possible. With the support of organisations like Leeds Building Society, Variety can continue to highlight that being disabled or disadvantaged need not be a barrier to getting the most out of life.”
Pictured: Jason Manford seated in the coach with (from far right) Harriet Elvidge (Assistant Branch Manager, Nottingham Branch) Chris Ord (Regional Sales Manager) and Charlotte Rafferty (Branch Manager, Nottingham Branch) – all Leeds Building Society. The children on the photo are all from Sutherland House School.
