Pupils at an east Suffolk primary school will now be able to go on school trips in the community after receiving a new minibus donated following a fundraising campaign by a local hotel and golf club.
Leiston Primary School has been given the 17-seater transport on a three year lease by Thorpeness Hotel and Golf Club, with the club's members covering the vehicle's servicing, MOT checks and road tax.
The custom-painted exterior of the bus, supplied by local car dealership Victory Car Sales, features images of the golf club, Thorpeness village and its Meare water body.
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James Ratcliffe, executive headteacher of East Anglia Schools Trust (EAST), which runs the school, said: “We are extremely grateful to Thorpeness Golf Club and everyone who contributed to make this possible.
"It is so important for children to be able to get out and about in their local community (and beyond) to get first-hand experiences which improve their learning and outcomes going forward.
"With the cost of travel increasing, having our own means of transport will ensure current and future pupils continue to receive those opportunities. Thank you once again, for such generous support.”
Funds for the bus were raised by the ‘On Course for the Community’ project, which was launched by the golf club during its centenary celebrations last year.
When searching for the right cause, Christine Langford, director of golf at Thorpeness approached former club president, David Morsley, for help.
Alongside the school it was decided that pupils would benefit from having their own dedicated minibus for use on outings, enabling the children to get out into the community without the cost of hiring a vehicle.
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The initiative was supported by former pupil Jenny Hill, who is the golf club's general manager.
Jenny said: “I have many good memories of my time at Leiston Primary School.
"I am delighted to now have the opportunity to give something back to the school, which plays an important role in the early years of our future local community where our hotel and golf club is located.”
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