SWH support Southbrook School in Go Kart Challenge

SWH were pleased to donate £250 to Southbrook School in Exeter in a bid to support their part in a local Go Kart Challenge.

Andrew Plumber, Business Manager at SWH, visited the school alongside Project Skills Coordinator, Anna Cooper to present the cheque and to be given a guided tour of the school’s facilities by Assistant Head, Alan Tilley.

Lee Hutchinson from SWH workshops also attended the visit to assist the pupils with the building and assembling of the kart.

Southbrook is a successful secondary special school for pupils, aged between 11 and 16, with varied complex needs and abilities including moderate or severe learning difficulties, social emotional and behavioural difficulties and Autism. Pupils may also have speech, language and communication difficulties, sensory impairments and / or physical disabilities.

The school purchased the go kart kit in April this year as part of the Greenpower School challenge. It took three weeks to build, engaged pupils and generated huge enthusiasm right across the school.

The school took part in their first race in June, in which they were the only special needs school to take part.

The race day was eventful and after a successful team entry and some quick practice laps, unfortunately they managed to damage the front axle, ultimately meaning that they could not race in the final. They were undeterred however and now have their sights set on the next race in late September.

Alan Tilley of Southbrook School commented: "It is really important for us at school to continually strive and to push our pupils forward and to give them the opportunities that they deserve.

"Taking part in the Greenpower Challenge is one of many activities that we see at school as being really important. The help from SWH will ensure that our go kart project is sustainable and something that lots of pupils will get a chance to experience. We are really grateful for the kind donation and also the link that we now have with SWH."

Anna Cooper, Project Skills Coordinator at SWH added, ‘My colleagues and I really enjoy supporting and visiting Southbrook School. The kids are fantastic; they are welcoming, friendly and just so polite. We initially welcomed them to SWH’s head office in July for the grand opening of our Reedbed and since then we have kept in touch and will continue to do so in the future. SWH is proud to be associated with such a fantastic school and is pleased to have been given the opportunity to sponsor their go kart. This school has so much to offer and we wish them the best of luck in the next race!’