PUPILS at a Newport special school have a lot to smile about after gaining a grant of almost £30,000 for a new minibus, thanks to the Argus.

The grant to Maes Ebbw Special School is one of the biggest ever given out by the Gannett Foundation, which supports non-profit projects and organisations in areas where Gannett owns newspapers including the Argus.

The desperately-needed new minibus, which is specially-adapted for wheelchair users, will transport pupils with severe learning difficulties into the community for lessons, to local sports facilities and on day trips.

The school’s Parents, Staff and Friends Association (PSFA) applied for the £29,466 grant after reading about the Gannett Foundation in the Argus, because one of the school’s three current minibuses is 16 years old and in need of replacement.

The school has 112 pupils, aged between three and 19, and holds many lessons outside of school grounds.

Maths lessons can involve counting the costs of products in a supermarket, geography is sometimes held in forests, swimming lessons take place at Newport’s International Sports Village and sometimes pupils are taken on calming, scenic drives.

Pupils suffer from a range of learning disabilities, including autism and sight and hearing impairments, and some are also physically disabled.

The school also loans its minibuses to community groups for free, including a scout group, an after school club and an old age pensioners’ group.

After hearing the grant had been successful yesterday, Parents Staff and Friends Association (PSFA) secretary Liz Mortali said she was "absolutely overwhelmed" by the generous donation.

"It’s a real necessity for the school as the bus we have at the moment is costing a fortune in repairs.

"To get this grant is fabulous, absolutely brilliant."

Headteacher Lynne Meyrick said she was "delighted" with the news.

"It’s a piece of equipment that is so important for all our children," she added.

Grants are typically awarded for between £1,000 and £5,000 and are announced twice a year, but the Gannett Foundation also provide larger grants for exceptional projects.

Among the projects it supports are education and neighbourhood improvements, youth development, assisting disadvantaged people and environmental conservation.

Gannett owns hundreds of newspapers, television stations and websites across the world, including UK news provider Newsquest, which runs the Argus.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Special gift

WE are thrilled to report that the charitable foundation run by the Argus's parent company, Gannett, has awarded the massive sum of £29,466 to a special school in Newport to help with the education of children with severe learning difficulties.

The grant to Maes Ebbw Special School is one of the biggest ever awarded by the Gannett Foundation and will fund the purchase of a minibus.

This will ensure that these special children have the opportunity to make visits that would otherwise be impossible.

We know that a large number of charitable organisations throughout the UK applied to the foundation for grants and only a small number can be made.

Nevertheless we are happy to report that our company has given out more than £100,000 in South Wales in the past five years.

Even in these difficult times it is rewarding for Argus staff to know that our parent company still maintains the old fashioned values that we should help local charities with much needed cash.

If your organisation was unsuccessful this time please take heart from the fact that a local charity hit the jackpot and have another go at securing a grant when we next advertise the scheme.