Staff and Students at Portland College in Mansfield are moving closer to the summit of their latest project after a £1,800 donation from Ron Brooks Toyota on Oak Tree Lane.
The money will go towards the construction of a wheelchair-accessible artificial rock climbing wall for use by students of the college as well children from all schools in the local community, with the aim of boosting self-esteem and team-building skills amongst young people.
Damon Musgrove, Fundraising Manager for Portland College, discovered the Toyota “Fund for a Better Tomorrow”, from which the donation was made, through the local business networking group Mansfield 2020, which holds its monthly breakfast meetings at the college. He was delighted that the resulting conversations led to a donation:
“We are extremely grateful to Ron Brooks Toyota for supporting our college. We feel that providing an outdoor activity climbing wall will help to improve the lives of all of the students here at Portland College, and those of the wider community, through the participation of sporting and educational activities.
We have been a specialist college for young people with physical and learning disabilities for over 65 years, and provide first class education and independence programmes. We have changed the lives of more than 25,000 individuals, and have enabled every learner to be as physically capable and self-sufficient as they can be. As a registered charity we have to generate thousands of pounds each year to buy specialist equipment and therapies to enhance the lives of the learners, many of whom have severe disabilities and life-limiting health concerns. “Once again thank you to Ron Brooks Toyota for supporting us and being part of our journey!”
Nathan Dale, Marketing Manager for Ron Brooks Mansfield, who submitted the application to Toyota GB, said:
“This is an example of local organisations working together to create something positive for the community. We are excited to see the finished project coming to fruition and having a go ourselves!”
Ryan Shipley, Business Centre Manager, Ron Brooks Mansfield was more than happy for the donation to be made to such a worthy cause:
“We are delighted to be able to donate this money to Portland College, particularly for such a worthwhile project. Team building skills and improving self-esteem are vitally important for young people and the climbing will encourage both of these.
“We are looking forward to exploring ways of evolving the partnership between ourselves and the college further in the future.”
The £1,800 donation was made from the Toyota Fund for a Better Tomorrow, which is committed to help fund Environmental, Road Safety and Education projects in communities local to the nationwide network of Toyota Centres. Since its inception a few years ago, the Fund, which is provided by Toyota (GB) PLC and Toyota Financial Services, has donated over £450,000 for more than 330 projects across the UK.
