Maintaining the school’s ageing buses to ensure community access for students is the key focus of the Peterborough Foundation following its success in the November round of Greater Bank’s #GreaterIllawarra Community Funding Program.
Peterborough Foundation Inc receives $2,000 for winning the online public vote, with the monthly runners-up Bally's Patch Community Garden Incorporated and Need a Feed Australia Inc each receiving $500.
The Warilla-based Peterborough School caters to the needs of students with special needs, from Kindergarten to Year 12
Peterborough Foundation President, Kylie O’Neill, said the group is the P&C of Peterborough School and holds fundraising events to support and maintain the school's buses.
“The buses play a critical role in the children's schooling, enabling them to go on excursions, participate in sports events and attend extra school activities, as well as providing community access to develop vital life skills, as our children are unable to access regular transport.
“This assists our children in moving towards more independence and meet their goals like any other child.
“School relies on fundraising to cover the cost of running the buses, which includes registration, insurance, maintenance, petrol and other incidentals.
“This funding from Greater Bank will really help us to not only cover those costs but hopefully get us on the path to purchasing a newer bus, as one of our vehicles is almost 35 years old.”
Peterborough Foundation President, Kylie O’Neill
Greater Bank’s Illawarra Regional Sales Manager, Greg Creagan, said all kids deserve the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
“Having a disability should in no way preclude anyone from getting an education that will enable them to be an integral part of the community and make a contribution to society,” Greg said.
“We are delighted to be able to make a contribution to Peterborough so they can continue to provide opportunities for their students to experience all that life has to offer.”
The nominees for our December round are Country Companion Animal Rescue, Illawarra Arabic Academy and Berkeley Netball Club, with another $3,000 up for grabs.
The public online vote is now open until 5.00pm Wednesday December 14, 2022 at www.greater.com.au/greaterillawarra.