STAFF and pupils at Canolfan Yr Enfys in Ysgol Bro Banw were celebrating on Friday after becoming the recipients of a brand new minibus.

The school had applied to Variety, the Children's Charity, for the new bus after there old one was beyond repair.

The charity works improve the lives of young people who are sick, disadvantaged or disabled.

The new bus will be used to support the children and enable staff to take them on trips.

Funding for the bus was secured by Variety from the Bingo Association.

Representatives from both Variety and the Bingo Association were at Canolfan Yr Enfys for the official presentation of the bus, where they were treated to thank yous and performances from the children, as well as refreshments.

Anthony May, centre manager at Canolfan Yr Enfys, said the new vehicle would open up a wealth of opportunities for the centre.

He said: “The new bus will be used for taking the children on away visits, activities and trips and will really help the staff and pupils.

“We were in desperate need of the new bus, as the old one had gotten too expensive to run with the upkeep, the MOT and other costs.

“We sent an application in to Variety in February to see if they could help us with securing a new minibus.

“They sent someone out to have a look at the centre, and the work we do, and we got accepted.

“Then about a month ago we had news from them that they had secured the funding for the new bus from the Bingo Association.

“We just have to say a big thank you to them.”

The bus has already been put into good use by the children at Canolfan Yr Enfys, taking it on a number of day trips, including one to the car wash.

It has an motor powered wheelchair ramp for ease getting on and off the bus, as opposed to the old one which was manual.

It also has room on it for four wheelchair spaces at one time, with some of the seats being removable to create space.

Ysgol Bro Banw’s new Variety Sunshine Coach is the 18th donated by the Bingo Association in the last three years.

This achievement has been made possible by the fundraising efforts of the bingo industry, their staff and customers.

The organisation has now raised more than £1million for Variety.

Mr Stewart said:  “More than 350 bingo clubs across the UK made this very worthy donation of a Sunshine Coach possible and so I must thank the staff and bingo players for their support. 

"As an industry we are delighted to be able to help more children get the most out of their childhood and reach their unique potential.”