The Variety Club’s Sunshine Coaches fleet has taken delivery of its 1,000th minibus from full range commercial vehicle manufacturer Iveco, which has been the charity’s sole provider of minibuses since 2001.
The milestone delivery was made at Sandown Park on Saturday 30 August during the 50th annual Variety Club Raceday, where the new 17-seat Iveco Daily minibus was presented to Kevin Ward, Headteacher of Holmleigh School. Located in Stamford Hill, London, the school caters for 240 disadvantaged children aged 3-11, some with learning difficulties.
Like all of the 999 Iveco Dailys delivered to the Variety Club before it, this special vehicle will be used to give young passengers the opportunity to go on trips for education, leisure, sports and fun.
Speaking at the presentation, Ken Mustoe, Sunshine Coaches Chairman says: “In delivering this new vehicle to Holmleigh School we are continuing a trend started by the Variety Club in 1962 when we delivered our very first Sunshine Coach. Since then we’ve supplied vehicles to more than 4,830 organizations nationwide, with this 1,000th Daily marking a very special day in our relationship with Iveco.”
Andrea Bucci, Marketing Director of Iveco, adds: “Each Sunshine Coaches minibus plays a huge role in enhancing the lives of sick, disabled and disadvantaged youngsters all over the country. They help to open doors to opportunities these children might not otherwise enjoy, making the Variety Club an excellent charity which Iveco is proud to support.”
Each new Daily in the Sunshine Coaches fleet is supplied through Iveco dealer Stormont Truck & Van and is expected to cover over 70,000 miles during its life on the fleet. The vehicles are individually awarded by the Variety Club to schools with special needs pupils, children’s hospitals and hospices, as well as to organisations striving to improve the quality of life for young people generally.
The supply of this 1,000th Daily to Holmleigh School replaces its previous requirement to hire minibuses for school trips, and marks the first Sunshine Coaches vehicle it has operated.
Together with the delivery of this landmark vehicle, Iveco also presented the Variety Club with a donation for £30,000 towards the charity’s continued good work.