Staff from British Gas Leeds today joined a 1300 mile relay across the UK to raise £15,000 for disabled children at RNIB Rushton School and Children's Home in Coventry.
Staff at British Gas' Leeds call centre, Kidacre Street, Holbeck, picked up the baton and will be leading the next leg of the epic walk, which kicked off last month covering the UK from John O' Groats to Lands End. The Leeds team will continue until they reach Cardiff on the 20th August, and in total British Gas walkers will trek a total of 1300 miles to raise £15,000 towards a garden for children attending RNIB Rushton School and Children's Home. The School provides specialist education, therapies and healthcare for young people with sight loss and complex needs.
Tony Wiggan, British Gas team leader said: "After visiting RNIB Rushton School and Children's Home and meeting all of the children, we wanted to contribute to the brilliant redevelopment that's taking place. The children are a real inspiration, they overcome huge challenges every day and smile through everything. We're very proud to be providing them with the tools to learn about the world through experience."
Jacquie McGuire, Regional Fundraiser for RNIB said: "We're so happy that staff at British Gas are fundraising for RNIB Rushton School and Children's Home. The garden will enable all of the children to experience and learn about nature on a daily basis, an experience they might not otherwise have had."
ENDS
For photographs of the event contact Jess Sweetman, RNIB Press Office 020 7391 2223. Out of hours mobile 07968 482812.
Notes to editors:
1. RNIB is currently embarking upon one of its most ambitious projects to date. The current site of RNIB Rushton School and Children's Home is being redeveloped and will be replaced with a state-of-the-art facility for young people with multiple disabilities, complex health needs and sight loss.
The main phase of redevelopment is due for completion in 2011 and will be a purpose-built facility, fully accessible for young people with complex needs and sight loss. RNIB Rushton School and Children's Home is open now and there will be a phased transition to the new facilities. As well as education, it offers year-round residential care and a wide range of therapies and health support such as music therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language support and a hydrotherapy pool. Our aim is to create a provision that others will emulate.
For more information visit www.rnib.org.uk/rushton
2. Every day around 100 people in the UK will start to lose their sight. There are almost 2 million people in the UK with sight problems. RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. If you, or someone you know, has a sight problem RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk