Cash needed for vital school bus

8:00am Tuesday 25th March 2008

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A MONMOUTH school for disabled children needs to raise £3,000 to keep its new minibus on the road.

Overmonnow Special Needs Unit opened in 1991and has 24 children who are deaf, blind, autistic or have severe learning difficulties.

In 1999 it launched its Meeting the Needs charity to support the education of the children. It has raised over £100,000 for an outdoor play area, sensory equipment and a specially adapted school minibus.

But while local businesses and charities are supportive, more cash is needed.

Head of the unit Chris Lewis said: "Although we are eternally grateful for the input, we find that we are greatly in need of much more financial support to cope with the ongoing and changing needs.

"The Variety Club of Great Britain and the Rotary Club in Monmouth are raising the monies for a much needed new mini bus but funds are still required to meet the running costs and to keep it on the road."

The vehicle cost around £30,000 and with tax, insurance and maintenance will require £3,000 a year.

While the school is one of only a handful in Gwent catering for special needs children, it receives no funding from Monmouthshire County Council or charities such as Children in Need because it falls outside strict criteria on community use.

This frustrates many parents such as Caroline Peters, 40, of Pentwyn Park, Penallt. Her daughter Amy, six, suffers from autism.

She said: "Children go there from all over Gwent, the demand is massive as it's such a good school.

"Really it needs another wing, but the money pumped in is appalling, it's a constant fight for funds."

Mrs Peters added the mini bus is vital to allow the children to do things most other children take for granted like field trips, horse riding and swimming.

Anyone who can make a donation can call the school on 01600 713458.