A SCHOOL for children with additional needs has been presented with a new specially adapted coach.

Children's charity Variety and the St James' Place Foundation donated the new Sunshine Coach to the children of The Edith Borthwick School on Springwood Drive in Braintree.

The bespoke coach, which is specially designed to suit the needs of pupils, will be used to transport kids on educational and social outings.

All of the school's 200 pupils have been diagnosed with severe and complex learning difficulties and the new coach will offer them the opportunity to experience the outside world in a safe and secure environment.

The donation came courtesy of the St James' Place Foundation, which has pledged £340,000 over the next three years to part-fund 20 similar coaches across the UK, working in conjunction with charity Variety.

Pamela Sinclair, Variety’s chief barker, said: “Since 1962, we have donated over 5,400 Sunshine Coaches – that’s more than 100 a year.

"Variety’s specialist minibuses ensure that children can interact with the world around them and experience a fun, entertaining and educational environment, whilst ensuring they are transported as safely as possible.

"With the support of organisations like St. James’s Place Foundation, Variety can continue to give disabled and disadvantaged children and young adults the ability to get the most out of life."

Mark Longbottom, head of the St. James’s Place Foundation, said: “The St. James’s Place Foundation is a proud supporter of Variety and together we are committed to improving the lives of children and young people, especially those who face significant challenges in life.”

Children celebrated the arrival of their new coach at a presentation ceremony on Wednesday.

Dan Woodman, head teacher of Edith Borthwick School said: “We are extremely grateful to Variety and St.James’s Place Foundation for their donation of a specialised Sunshine Coach.

"This donation will make a fantastic impact upon the children, providing them with the opportunity to join in on a variety of activities, enriching their lives enormously.”

For more information about Variety's Sunshine Coaches, visit: www.variety.org.uk.