Woolworths and Variety NSW/ACT support the arrival of two new buses to support local schools

Woolworths and Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT – have teamed up to support students at Cecil Hills High School and Grafton High School with two new Variety Sunshine Coaches.

These coaches will provide vital transportation for students to access educational, sporting, and community activities that were previously out of reach due to disability, chronic illness, financial hardship, or geographic isolation.

The first coach arrived today at Cecil Hills High School and Head Teacher of Special Education, Kelly Ford, was delighted to take delivery of their Mitsubishi Rosa, which has been modified to accommodate three students in wheelchairs. Kelly said the coach will improve the quality of life for students at the school who can now be included in school events and community activities, while also reducing the cost of excursions for parents.

“In the past, we would have to book a private charter bus, hire taxis, use teacher vehicles or walk but these solutions don’t work for all of the students in our Support Unit and they also place financial strain on families, many of whom are already doing it tough” said Kelly.

“The coach will enable all our students, regardless of disability, to attend excursions, sporting events and work experience programs – increasing their connection to the local community and in turn, their self esteem and sense of independence.”

Donations from Woolworths and funds raised during the annual state charity appeals at Woolworths supermarkets amounted to over $280,000, helping to bolster the funds raised by each school to deliver the custom fitted coaches.

Variety NSW/ACT CEO, Tony Warner, said the program supports the delivery of Variety’s mission to ensure all children have the same opportunities in life. “Variety Sunshine Coaches provide transport for children to access their community and experience a range of special programs and activities they would be otherwise unable to attend,” he said.

“Since Variety Australia was founded in 1975, the Variety Sunshine Coach program has granted over 1460 coaches to schools and community organisations across the country.”

Variety and Woolworths Supermarkets in NSW and the ACT have partnered together for over ten years to support young children.

Woolworths State Director of Operations NSW/ACT, Matthew Spiteri said, “Over the years, it’s been great to see the tangible impact of our partnership with Variety. We see it on days like today as we celebrate the arrival of the Sunshine Coach here at Cecil Hills High School and we see it in the stories about new equipment for vital programs that we’ve been able to support.

“We’d like to thank the Variety NSW/ACT team for their dedication to making a difference and all of the
generous customers and team who have supported the appeals.”