Vranch House School needs new minibus

Fundraising drive for wheelchair-accessible transport

An Exeter special school has launched a major fundraising appeal to buy a new wheelchair-accessible bus.

Now in its 50th anniversary year, Vranch House is an independent day school for children aged two to 18 with significant physical disabilities.

In normal times, students love going out on day trips to interact with and be part of their community and learn important life skills.

The school now needs a new wheelchair-accessible minibus to allow these day trips to continue in future, but this will cost around £38,000.

Fundraising has started at the school on Pinhoe Road, with the support of the local community in Exeter and beyond.

Vranch House School has grown significantly in recent years, and is continuing to see an increased demand for its outstanding therapeutic education facilities due to the capacity of other Devon special schools.

It is also fundraising to improve the outside areas at the school to make them more inclusive, engaging and fun to enhance pupils’ learning and provide important sensory stimulation, including wheelchair accessible equipment.

Lots of generous people and local groups have pledged to support the appeal – with many working hard on lockdown exercise challenges!

Teacher Chloe Moore says “The pupils at Vranch House are truly inspirational and deserve to be given the opportunities they need to thrive, succeed and have fun. Having a wheelchair accessible school bus will provide this and enable all pupils, no matter their ability, to be given a variety of experiences outside of the school grounds and the chance to be part of their wider community”.   

“We know the people of Exeter are extremely generous and inventive and would love to hear from anyone keen to support our students. If you or someone you know would like to help fundraise for Vranch House, please get in touch!”

Student Libby Orr who’s 16 years old and uses a powered wheelchair says: “If we make the garden more accessible we will feel so much more included because we could do even more work and play outdoors with equipment, with less help from staff and feel happier and not left out.”

Libby also says: “Can you please help us raise money because it will change our lives?”

The school’s fundraising efforts have got off to a great start with the support of local businesses and groups including Heavitree and Wonford Running Group, GM Insurance and Devonport Royal Dockyard Babcock.

Tom Whitford from Exeter and Steve Chapman who works for Devon County Council have both taken on 5km a day running challenges for a whole month each. And one of the school’s physiotherapists, Bekki Mills, is taking on a 70km running and biking challenge in March.