Thanks to the kind support of the Canary Wharf Contractors Fund and The Tompkins Foundation, disabled children and young people from community organisation, Step by Step London, will now be able to travel safely and access a variety of activities, including sport and leisure activities and work experience.

The new 13-seater Sunshine Coach, complete with a tail-lift, will make an immediate and long-lasting difference to Step by Step London.

The organisation enhances the lives of families in London by providing recreational activities for children with moderate to severe physical, emotional and learning disabilities.

Celebrating the occasion

In recognition of the special moment, an excited group of young people supported by Step by Step London visited the London Golf Club in Sevenoaks for a special handover of the Sunshine Coach with the Canary Wharf Contractors Fund, as part of their annual golf day.

Esther Hoffman and Mark Grosskopf from Step by Step London were delighted to join Dan Finch, Alec Vallintine and Jodie Leeson from Canary Wharf Contractors Fund to thank them for their generous support.

A gift was presented to Alec Vallintine in his capacity as Chairman of the Canary Wharf Contractors Fund as a heartfelt tribute from the children, young people and faculty to express their gratitude and appreciation for their kind contribution.

Dan Finch, Trustee of the Canary Wharf Contractors Fund, commented:

“This year, the Canary Wharf Contractors Fund was delighted to support Step by Step London 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 their important work and are delighted to support them this way.

“We look forward to hearing about the exciting opportunities that this Sunshine Coach will provide.”

Esther Hoffman from Step by Step London added, “We needed another Sunshine Coach because we didn’t have a way to transport some of our children in wheelchairs to and from sessions.

“We also had a waiting list of six children who use wheelchairs, who we couldn’t accept on our sessions (as we didn’t have a way to transport them). The coach will be used daily to transport young people to and from sessions as well as to our sports locations.

We had a waiting list of six children who use wheelchairs, who we couldn’t accept on our sessions as we didn’t have a way to transport them.”

– Esther Hoffman, Step by Step London.

“There is no direct transport to Brooks where we have our hydro-swimming sessions and public transport to Lee Valley Ice Rink is long and difficult, as it involves changing buses.

“Having our own mode of transport will be vital in ensuring we can transport all our users to all our sessions in a safe and reliable way. Thank you.”

Thank you to the Canary Wharf Contractors Fund and The Tompkins Foundation for your incredible support.