Wheelie good news for town high school pupils
An East Kilbride high school will motor ahead after being given the keys for a brand new minibus.
The town’s Sanderson High School caters for children with additional support needs and it aims to encourage pupils to access the local community as and when they can.
But this has been difficult in recent years with its current bus no longer in use, also making access to activities such as hydrotherapy and visits to Calderglen Country Park problematic.
However, the school was delighted when it recently took delivery of a new adapted minibus after a fundraising trust was set up in 2017.
Teacher Melissa Liddell told the News: “We have been very lucky that our school also has an established charity, Friends of Sanderson.
“Through our charity we have been able to lease out a minibus with the help of Fleet Alliance and The Furnishing Service (TFS) who have kindly agreed to pay some of the monthly payments.
“This will have a huge impact on our pupils as community access is a significant part of their curriculum.
“It allows our pupils to improve their skills and confidence.
“This will open up many more opportunities and will allow us to support them in the way they deserve.”
Ms Liddell added: “We also use this bus to access college and work experience which our pupils benefit from in S5 and S6.
“We have been waiting on this minibus for a long time and our pupils are very excited to use it.”
Randle Wilson, chairman of The Friends of Sanderson charity, said: “This is a momentous day for everyone connected with the charity.
“When the charity was formed in 2017 its main target was to get a new adapted minibus.
“The fact that we have now achieved this is just wonderful. The ability to safely transport our amazing young people around will make a huge positive difference to their lives and will allow them to experience new adventures.
“On behalf of the trustees I would like to thank everyone who has made this happen.
“A special thanks must go to our two main sponsors of the minibus, Fleet Alliance and The Furnishing Service, we could not have done this without them.”