Short-term lender, Signature Property Finance, has announced a charity partnership with Ysgol Ty Coch, a special day school maintained by Rhondda Cynon Taf local authority in Wales.
Ysgol Ty Coch provides exceptional education and care for around 250 pupils aged 3-19 with profound and multiple learning difficulties, autistic spectrum disorder, and severe learning challenges.
The partnership aligns with Signature’s commitment to community engagement and is designed to positively impact the lives of the school’s pupils through targeted contributions.
Tony Gilbertson (pictured, left), CEO of Signature Property Finance, said: “My mother worked at the school when it was a residential facility, I was a youth club volunteer in my teenage years and my younger brother is one of the deputy heads here, which offers a very personal and valuable insight into the inspirational work the school provides for some of society’s most vulnerable individuals.
“Through this partnership, we have pledged that for every deal we complete, regardless of its size, the school will receive direct financial support. The first tranche of our commitment, delivered £14,500 to help facilitate a much-needed playground upgrade.
“The balance of this first donation, will also help with the purchase of important new technology. These upgrades are integral to helping the students develop essential life skills while fostering fun, physical activity, and engagement in the learning environment.
“This is the start of an exciting partnership between Signature and the school. We have big plans for this year and intend to be closely involved with the school, with our people also offering practical support when more hands are needed for a project.
“It is immensely satisfying for me that Signature is in a position to support the incredibly important work the dedicated team at Ysgol Ty Coch provide. The recent visit to present the cheque was a humbling experience and made us all more determined to help.”
Simon Wilson, (pictured, right) headteacher of Ysgol Ty Coch, added: “The school is about to undergo a major transformation funded by the local authority, but critical everyday resources that enrich the children’s lives remain in short supply.
“It was great to welcome Signature to our Buarth Y Capel campus and show them the playground upgrade, which is designed to get our pupils walking more, burning off energy and interacting with each other outside.
“We believe in the power of education to transform lives and to have Signature, prepared to work in partnership with the school, to leverage its financial expertise to deliver much-needed additional funds, is immensely important for what we are trying to achieve for our amazing pupils.
“The children and young people at Ysgol Ty Coch are not seeking sympathy. What will make a difference to their lives and their outcomes, is the empathy shown by Tony and Signature, which recognises the problems we face and seeks practical ways of supporting what we do.”
