PUPILS at a school will be able to get out and about thanks to a generous donation.

Variety, the Children’s Charity, on Thursday last week, presented one of its Sunshine Coaches to children at Icknield School.

The new Sunshine Coach replaces the school’s old minibus and will be used on a daily basis to transport children to a number of activities, including parks and outdoor education centres, sporting activities and residential holidays.

The donation was made possible by the Geoff and Fiona Squire Foundation.

Sean Cannon, headteacher at Icknield School, said: “Without the support of Variety and the charities with which they work, our pupils would not be able to benefit from the wide range of exciting opportunities and experiences that the provision of a bus allows.”

Colleen Ettridge, head of fundraising at Variety, the Children’s Charity, said: “We are delighted that the pupils of Icknield School have received their new Sunshine Coach, thanks to the generosity of the Geoff and Fiona Squire Foundation.

“These coaches enable children and young people with special needs to get the most out of school life by accessing learning and recreational facilities outside of the school environment.”

Geoff Squire, of the Geoff and Fiona Squire Foundation, said: “The Geoff and Fiona Squire Foundation is proud to support a new Variety minibus which is being presented to Icknield School.

“The school is an outstanding school for children and young people with severe learning difficulties.

“It provides a happy environment where students are encouraged to meet their maximum potential. The new Variety minibus will provide the opportunity for the students to widen their horizons beyond the school gates and take part in field outings that are educational, sporting, or just simply fun.”