Local car dealership turns dream into reality for city school

The Co-operative Motor Group Motor Group has helped Saint Benedict Catholic School and Performing Arts College on Duffield Road, by supporting a replacement minibus campaign.

The Co-operative Motor Group’s donation of a seventeen-seater Renault minibus came about as a result of the school’s year long fund raising scheme. Jenny Williamson Director of Business and Development at the school explains, “We have two ageing minibuses – used to take students on field trips and to and from sports fixtures – which desperately needed replacing. We launched the campaign to buy a new vehicle as we thought it would be a nice birthday present to the school as we celebrated its 20th year.

“A series of funding raising events were held including two grand raffles, a design competition led by the students and a Black Tie Ball. The Co-operative Motor Group were approached to donate a raffle prize but we didn’t quite expect one as generous as this!”

The Co-operative Motor Group’s general manager Tony Guest said: “We are pleased to support local worthy causes, and the school’s campaign illustrates perfectly how businesses in the community can make a difference. The Co-operative Motor Group – part of The Co-operative Group – will stand the vehicle costs for the first twelve months, before selling the bus back to the school as a used vehicle when the year is over.  This means they don’t need as much cash as they first thought, to reach their campaign target.”

Headteacher, Christopher Reynolds OBE said “The real value of a new bus is difficult to measure as it supports the work we do in so many ways.  This generous offer is a great example of businesses working with schools, and on behalf of all pupils, parents, staff and governors, I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to The Co-operative Motor Group.

Notes to editor:

Students at the school were asked to design the artwork for the minibus; the winning design – featured on the vehicle – was created by pupil name, age.

The Co-operative Motor Group has 11 dealerships throughout the Midlands, including Renault and Nissan on Haydn Road in Nottingham, and Renault, Nissan, Mazda, Hyundai and Fiat on Sir Frank Whittle Road in Derby.

Local Signwriting company Blueprint of Nottingham also backed the scheme by providing the bus artwork at cost price only.