STUDENTS at a Catshill school have been given a boost after receiving a minibus.

Chadsgrove School and Specialist Sports College in Meadow Road, provides specialist support and services for children and young people who have physical disabilities and complex medical needs.

The money for the vehicle was raised though midlands business recovery and insolvency firm Poppleton and Appleby and the Variety Club Golf Society who hosted their annual golf day torment and gala dinner.

Headteacher Deb Rattley said: “The Sunshine Coach will be of huge benefit to all of the children at Chadsgrove School. We organise a lot of residential visits including trips to France and the Isle of Man so having access to a reliable mode of transport will give us great independence.

“Not only will it allow us to continue to organise trips out in the community but it will also enhance the children’s education as a lot of the pupils regularly access additional lessons and activities at other schools and colleges in the area.

“We are extremely grateful to Poppleton and Appleby and the Variety Club Golf Society for donating the coach as it means we will be better equipped to meet the needs of the children and young people by ensuring we have access to resources that will enhance their learning.”

The event, held at Marriott St Pierre Hotel and Country Club in Chepstow, was attended by celebrities including magician David Redfearn, comedians Jimmy Tarbuck and Tom O’Connor, snooker star Willie Thorne and Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman.

Martin Coyne of Poppleton and Appleby, added: “We were delighted to hand over the keys to our 49th Sunshine Coach to pupils and teachers at Chadsgrove School and hope that it will help them deliver additional services that will enrich the pupils’ lives.

“We are very proud to be one of the oldest sponsors of the Variety Club Golf Society and we are very much looking forward to next year’s event which will see us donate our 50th Sunshine Coach."