Newcastle-based housebuilder Bellway has donated a brand-new minibus to the children's charity Variety as part of a newly formed partnership. The 17-seater vehicle, known as a Sunshine Coach, was officially handed over by Bellway CEO Jason Honeyman to Variety CEO Laurence Guinness at Bellway's national headquarters in Woolsington House, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Partnership Launch
The handover marked the beginning of a new collaboration between Bellway and Variety, an organization dedicated to supporting disabled and disadvantaged children and young adults across the UK. Variety provides practical assistance including specialist equipment, educational support, career development opportunities, and Sunshine Coaches. Jason Honeyman, CEO of Bellway, said: "Today marks a proud milestone for Bellway as we celebrate the launch of our new national charity partnership with Variety."
Laurence Guinness, CEO of Variety, added: "At Variety, our mission is to provide vulnerable children with the support they need to reach their full potential, so partnering with Bellway, which is so deeply rooted in building communities, is a natural and powerful fit." The partnership began earlier this year and represents Bellway's first additional national charity partnership since its ongoing collaboration with Cancer Research UK, which began a decade ago and has raised over £5.1 million.
Fundraising Activities
Fundraising efforts commenced on February 2nd with the Bellway Variety Show, where employees showcased their talents. Additionally, 15 staff members participated in the Reading Half Marathon on March 22nd. Future fundraising events planned for this year include activities during National Volunteering Week in June, several charity golf days, and opportunities for Bellway employees to fundraise individually or volunteer for Variety's Great Day Out events. These outings aim to broaden horizons, enhance social skills, and support learning by taking children on trips to places like the seaside or theme parks.
Laurence Guinness commented: "Bellway's support will enable us to build a foundation of independence and opportunity for many more disabled and disadvantaged children across the UK. This partnership will have a profound and lasting impact on thousands of young lives, and we are incredibly grateful for Bellway's commitment to our mission."
About Bellway
Bellway is a FTSE 250 listed residential housebuilder headquartered in Newcastle, employing 3,000 staff across 20 divisions in England, Scotland, and Wales. Originally founded as a family business in 1946, Bellway places family values at its core, making collaborations with charities like Variety a natural extension of its commitment to local communities. Sunshine Coaches enable children and young people to participate in educational, recreational, and sports activities they might otherwise miss, providing a quieter and calmer travel environment. They are the most recognized aspect of Variety's work.
First Coach Donated to School
The first Sunshine Coach funded by Bellway has been donated to Hadrian Primary School in South Shields. Jason Honeyman said: "The presentation of this first Bellway-funded Sunshine Coach to Hadrian Primary School is a wonderful example of what we can achieve together, helping children access opportunities and experiences they might otherwise miss. Building and enriching local communities sits at the heart of what we do, and we are delighted to be working alongside Laurence and the Variety team."
Scott Brown, headteacher at Hadrian Primary School, expressed his gratitude: "Our school thrives to empower all pupils with the skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. A Sunshine Coach will allow us to do that by creating an endless list of opportunities through exploration and enriched learning experiences." The school plans to use the coach for trips to libraries, farms, the seaside, local education programs, and weekly swimming lessons. This is particularly important as many students cannot swim and lack access to classes outside school. Mr. Brown added: "We have a large percentage of pupils that will directly benefit from accessible transport, and we feel that providing each of these pupils with the same opportunities as their peers is essential. This would be made possible by a Sunshine Coach, and its impact on the daily lives of all pupils cannot be underestimated."
