Member Article

Newcastle businesses united for Hadrian school

Newcastle businesses are united for the kids

Tyneside’s business and sporting world has united together to provide much needed funds for children with severe special education needs.

Rob Armstrong, director of leading recruitment agency; MTrec Recruitment and Newcastle taxi firm, LA Taxis, has supported Hadrian School in Benwell for many years by supplying computers and helping to raise money for specialist equipment to help the children with their education and general welfare at the school.

The primary day school caters for the needs of pupils aged between two and eleven years with a range of additional needs including complex, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties. It has established itself as ‘an outstanding school’ winning many accolades from Ofsted, Charter Mark and Investors in Children. The school has around 120 pupils and also provides courses and support to parents relating to their children’s disabilities. The increasing cost of specialised equipment means that the school is constantly looking at ways to raise funds to buy new equipment.

Now, Mr Armstrong an ex West End lad himself has teamed up with his beloved Newcastle United and has promised to raise £85,000 for the school by donating a raffle prize that every “toon” fan would love to win.

“We have a company box at St James’ Park and between now and the Liverpool match in April next year, the school are selling raffle tickets at just £2 each to win our box for the day,” said Mr Armstrong. “The lucky prize winner will be able to take themselves and nine friends to the match where they will enjoy corporate hospitality all afternoon as well as watching a top class fixture.”

As if that wasn’t enough, the Newcastle-Gateshead Hilton Hotel have pledged rooms with dinner the night before the match and a fleet of LA Taxis will transport the winners in style to the football ground.

Newcastle United manager, Alan Pardew helped to kick off the fundraising with a cheque for £5000 from the club which was presented to an eager and excited group of children from the school at the Benton training ground. In addition, the club have also donated a second box for the match making both prizes worth a total in excess of £5000. The school will also have the opportunity to collect even more funds as the club have given permission for a bucket collection at a forthcoming match.

Hadrian School head teacher, Chris Rollings was delighted with the generous donation and the great start to the fundraising raffle. “This is a fantastic opportunity to make a lot of difference to our pupils. We’ve just launched this officially but already we’ve had donations and ticket sales amounting to more than £35,000. I really can’t believe how generous everyone has been especially LA Taxis. We are very grateful to Rob Armstrong and everyone else who has made this raffle so special for us all and really appreciate the special relationship we have with him and his businesses.”

The money raised will go towards the building of a new therapy resource to deliver Rebound Therapy five days a week in and out of school hours. Rebound Therapy is the therapeutic use of a trampoline to overcome physical, perceptual, communication disabilities.

“I wanted to do something to help these fantastic kids by improving the facilities and equipment at Hadrian School,” said Mr Armstrong. “I’ve pledged to help them raise £85,000 by April and I’d urge all Newcastle fans to dig deep and buy as many tickets as they can afford to help this very special school, “he said.

“I’m grateful for the support of my fellow directors at LA Taxis and MTrec Recruitment as well as our business colleagues at the Newcastle Gateshead Hilton and of course, Newcastle United.”

Tickets costing £2.00 each (£10 per book) can be obtained from Hadrian School, Telephone 0191 2734440 or email admin@hadrian.newcastle.sch.uk

http://www.hadrian.newcastle.sch.uk/AboutUsProjects.html

ENDS

Photo 1 shows: L to R NUFC Coach John Carver, Head teacher Chris Rollings, Rob Armstrong and NUFC manager Alan Pardew

Photo 2 Shows Some of the Newcastle United squad with children from Hadrian School

More info from Keith Newman at Highlights PR on 07814 397951

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Keith Newman .