Double dose of Sunshine thanks to Crest Nicholson

Written by James Gadsby-Peet 1st July 2009

On 26TH June 2009, Crest Nicholson presented the children of The Petts Wood Playgroup and those at Mellars Primary School with the keys to a brand new Variety Club Sunshine Coach. The well known property developer has sponsored both coaches and is donating each on the same day.

Long term supporters of The Variety Club, Crest Nicholson have donated 11 Sunshine Coaches and helped fund a number of projects that have made a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people across the UK.

Both Sunshine Coaches will be presented by Miss England contestants. The Miss England competition is supporting the Variety Club through a number of initiatives including a 5p donation for every vote that they receive through www.missengland.info for this year's winner.

Mellers Primary School caters for 231 children aged 3 - 11. Many live in a very deprived area or below the poverty line. As a result many have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

We're absolutely thrilled with our new Variety Club minibus. It will have an incredibly significant impact on our school community in so many ways. We know that our children learn best 'outside the classroom' by being involved in active learning, and our new minibus will enable us to take our children out much more regularly, without incurring the costs of hiring coaches and buses. This will enrich their learning experiences and imbue them with that 'joie de vivre' for learning, that becomes lost when the curriculum is too dry and classroom bound. This minibus opens many doors of opportunity for our pupils, and we are grateful to the Variety Club for giving us this marvellous opportunity. Thank you so much!

Headteacher of Mellers Primary School, Nottingham, Amanda Dawson

Children of Mellers Primary School with their new Sunshine Coach and Miss England 2008

Petts Wood Playgroup caters for 30 children with a wide range of special needs.

We are very thrilled to accept the mini bus and very very grateful to the sponsors Crest Nicholson who made it possible. Our old minibus was 8 years old and served us very well we hope the new one does the same. Hope you all have a lovely game of golf - the serious business! And we are all off to the farm in the new bus.

Leader of Petts Wood Playgroup, Kent, Mrs Larry Simpson

The Petts Wood Coach was presented at a special Variety Club golf day attended by representatives from The Variety Club and Crest Nicholson

Jenny Symons, Ken Mustoe, Miss Kent Sinead Blaney and Keith Andrews with the new Petts Wood Sunshine Coach

Each year I am staggered by the amount of money we raise through the generosity of both Crest Nicholson employees and our suppliers and subcontractors, to help us support The Variety Club Children's Charity. Today's presentation brings our total number of Sunshine donations up to 11, and seeing the joy and happiness these coaches bring and the difference they make to the lives of so many children makes all the hard work throughout the year very rewarding.

Helen Saunders, Group Marketing Executive from Crest Nicholson