Children at an Ipswich school welcomed the arrival of a shiny new minibus – giving them continued access to the community for sporting and social activities.

Ipswich Star: The Bridge School, which educates special needs children, has successfully fundraised for a new mini bus. Picture: GREGG BROWNThe Bridge School, which educates special needs children, has successfully fundraised for a new mini bus. Picture: GREGG BROWN

The Bridge School runs four buses for its pupils, who have severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties or autistic spectrum disorders.

With one of the buses worse for wear after 15 years on the road, a fundraising campaign generated £12,000 from events like quiz nights, concerts, and parents taking part in a sponsored skydive and bike ride from Ipswich to Glasgow.

Children’s charity Variety then partnered up with housing firm Crest Nicholson to provide sponsorship for the new bus, which associate headteacher Odran Doran said would give continued access to the community for learning opportunities, including visits to the seaside, playgrounds and shops, as well as activities like horse riding and sailing.

The school is now hoping to raise enough to replace a second of its four buses.