The Variety coach was presented to Kalinda last week. Photo: Supplied.
Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT presented Griffith special needs school Kalinda School a custom 12-seater bus last week.
The $103,000 custom 12-seater Toyota Commuter [Variety Coach] features rear wheelchair access and two wheelchair spaces, enabling more students to travel safely to excursions and support programs.
The school contributed $8800 towards the cost of the vehicle and has already put the coach into use.
The charity visited Kalinda as one of many stops as part of its Variety Bash.
“The Variety Bash is a week-long event featuring about 250 people who drive their old cars around the countryside. They’ve been fundraising for us for the past nine months. During the week away we give away grants from the money we raised to various schools in need,” Variety motoring event manager Janet Kilazoglou said.
“We stopped off at Kalinda where we enjoyed a wonderful breakfast from the staff, the kids and the P&C. We visited the school back in 2018, so it was nice to come back and see the school community again … it’s at the core of our heart to help out special needs kids.”
Ms Kilazoglou said the bus would make a difference at the school.
“It’s a specially modified bus that has space for two wheelchairs at the back; it will allow the students to do activities that they haven’t been able to do previously … it’ll also be used for outside school hours activities.”
The Variety Bash had a day of fun activities in Kalinda. Photo: Supplied.
The NSW Bash will also be granting Kalinda School $4807 towards sensory supports (waterless LED tube, Peapod Sensory Pods, Mellow Mats and Aussie Play Water Wall).
These items will support the sensory regulation of its students, who have high regulation support needs and require specialised resources to support this daily.
Improved regulation means more opportunity for these students to access the curriculum and the community.
“We are incredibly grateful to Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT for our wonderful new Variety Sunshine Coach. The coach has been thoughtfully customised to meet the needs of students who use wheelchairs, with modified seating that ensures full accessibility,” Kalinda School Principal Jaimee Damini said.
“This exciting addition opens up even more opportunities for our students to participate in a wide range of programs and activities within our community. The students and staff love it!”
The Variety Sunshine Coach program helps schools and community groups across Australia reduce barriers to education and participation for children facing disability, chronic illness, financial hardship or geographic isolation. Since 1975, more than 1480 coaches have been granted nationwide.
“During our weeklong bash, we also had an overnight visit in Hay and we stopped at Coleambally Central School where we provided another grant through our fundraising,” Ms Kilazoglou said.
More information on Variety’s charity work can be found on its website.
