Naval officers raise money for special school's minibus cause
STAFF and students from a special school, that caters for those with severe learning difficulties, are thankful after receiving a donation for a new minibus.
St Francis School in Fareham was presented with a cheque for £2,000 from the Warrant Officers’ and Senior Rates Mess’ at HMS Collingwood who fundraised to help the school, which looks after children aged between two and 19 years old, buy a third minibus.
Assistant headteacher at St Francis, Imogen Sanpanid, said: ‘Originally our target was to raise £13,000 as this was the required contribution from the Variety Club, who we are getting the minibus through and they source the rest of the funding.
‘However we had a letter before Christmas to say that unfortunately they needed to raise their contribution request from £13,000 to £14,000.’
The school currently relies on two aging minibus for trips.
Through a barbeque, charging guests on an open day and collection tins, the group at HMS Collingwood raised the money to help the school’s cause.
Imogen added: ‘We have been overwhelmed at the support we have had in our fundraising and we are hoping to keep the momentum up so we can make a second grant application for a minibus.’