Thanks to the kind support of The Medlock Charitable Trust and The Elizabeth and Prince Zaiger Trust, students at Ravenswood School will now be able to travel safely and access an array of activities, including sport, leisure and work experience.

The 17-seater Sunshine Coach with tail-lift will make an immediate and long-lasting difference to pupils at Ravenswood, an all-age special school for pupils with complex learning difficulties and severe learning difficulties.

They have provision for over 130 pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and pupils come from across North Somerset and bordering local authorities. All Pupils who attend the school have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) and cater to pupils with speech and language, emotional severe learning difficulties.

David Medlock, Chairman of The Medlock Charitable Trust, commented, “We are delighted to be back working with Variety, the Children’s Charity. When we started our Charitable Trust journey 40 years ago, we learnt a great deal from the way in which Variety supported its recipients.”

Julian Schiller, Trustee of The Elizabeth and Prince Zaiger Trust, added, “This year, the Trustees of The Elizabeth and Prince Zaiger Trust were delighted to support Ravenswood School in Nailsea by providing a much-needed Variety Sunshine Coach.”

“The Sunshine Coach will support the pupils to enjoy life-changing experiences and activities in their local community. It is with great pleasure that we recognise the important work of the school and are delighted to support them this way. We look forward to hearing about the exciting opportunities that this Sunshine Coach will provide.”

Mark Senior, Head Teacher at Ravenswood School, added, “Our old Sunshine Coach is now coming toward the end of its life, after being used successfully for a number of years.”

This Sunshine Coach will be used to provide the enriched curriculum that our school offers, including trips to outdoor educational venues.” – Mark Senior, Head Teacher, Ravenswood School

“This Sunshine Coach will be used to provide the enriched curriculum that our school offers, including supporting trips to outdoor educational venues, across the local area; weekly trips to our local college which supports transitioning onwards; as well as enhancing our curriculum and visiting local employers for work experience opportunities. Thank you.”

Celebrating the occasion

In recognition of the special occasion, pupils were also delighted to contribute their own special Sunshine Coach-themed artistic creations, featuring drawings, poetry and paintings. An impressive array of lovely, heartfelt tributes from the pupils to express their gratitude and appreciation for this wonderful gift.