BAGGIE Bird – the much-loved mascot of Championship football club West Bromwich Albion – has helped a Lichfield special school to kick-start its fundraising efforts ahead of the arrival of a new minibus.
Queen’s Croft High School have been successful in their application for a 17-seater minibus via the Variety Children’s Charity Sunshine Coach programme. The scheme exists to enable schools and non-profit making groups and organisations catering for sick, disabled and/or disadvantaged children to obtain a Sunshine Coach.
The charity works closely with corporates, trusts and foundations and individual donors to secure required funds; donor Judith Sarah Jarman Craymer CBE has paid £45,000 for sponsorship of the Queen’s Croft Sunshine Coach but a further £18,000 needs to be raised by the school within 18 months. Ms Jarman Craymer is an English creator and producer of musical theatre who has worked in the film, television and music industry on productions including Mamma Mia.
Baggie Bird was at the Lichfield school to raise awareness of the need to fundraise, and to also share the good work done by West Bromwich Albion Foundation which works closely with Queen’s Croft.
Co-headteacher Sam Wood said: “We haven’t had a minibus here at Queens Croft for some while and that has limited what we can do as a school.
“Pupils can’t get out into the community, and it has been a real struggle to take them to do activities such as swimming, or to go on residential trips. These are really important activities for pupils of a special school.
“We put in an application for the minibus and were fast-tracked; I think they could see our need for the bus.
“We are all looking forward to the arrival of the bus and have lots of events planned over the coming months during which we hope to raise the extra £18,000 towards the cost of the bus.
“We work closely with the Albion Foundation – they provide our sports provision with coaching once a week as part of the curriculum – and it was great to have Baggie Bird here with us as we officially started our fundraising efforts.”
Sam also thanked the school council, which is made up predominantly of pupils, for putting together the application for the minibus.
“The School Council have been fantastic,” he said, “and we have also been busy building links with the community, and our parents and carers; they have set up a not-for-profit organisation called the Friends of Queen’s Croft and will be key to raising the funds needed for the outstanding balance of the minibus.
“We would also welcome any donations from local businesses and supporters of the school.”
Queen’s Croft has more than 200 pupils on roll and covers Lichfield, Rugeley, Tamworth, Cannock, Stafford, Walsall and Birmingham. It caters for pupils aged between 11-19 with moderate learning difficulties.
Year 8 student Angel Reay, together with her family, has raised more than £100 towards the minibus.
The twelve-year-old Manchester City fan said: “I love football and it is something that I’d like to do as a career when I’m older. I play left-back for a local team.
“I enjoyed meeting Baggie Bird, though, and it was fun having him in school with us.”
Jayne Norton is from the Albion Foundation. She said: “We would like to thank Queen’s Croft High School for welcoming us into school and wish them well in their fundraising efforts.”
This story was written and shared on behalf of Queen’s Croft High School by Kerry Ganly. Can we share your news and get you in the headlines too? Find out how we can help by getting in touch
