Torqueing the talk for school fundraiser
The Cobham students, who are currently studying apprenticeships at Bournemouth and Poole College, reached out to the local community in Bournemouth to ask schools if there were any voluntary projects underway that they could get involved in. Beaucroft Foundation School in Dorset; a specialist school for students with learning difficulties, asked the apprentices to help them purchase and install much-needed therapy and sensory equipment.
The Cobham apprentices launched a two-fold fundraising programme, to pay for materials and equipment, by holding a charity football tournament and cycling between Marlow and Wimborne to encourage Cobham employees to sponsor them. The small group of six apprentices, who cycled the gruelling distance of 120 miles over two days, battled with sun, rain, strong winds, camping in near freezing conditions and two broken bicycles to eventually complete the challenge. The charity football tournament held in September, tested the apprentices’ sporting stamina even further and raised an additional £74, bringing the total raised to £674.
Cobham apprentice Dan Leigh who was part of the team of six, said “the ride was difficult but gained a lot of support from our colleagues at Cobham who saw us cycling every day. Fundraising was crucial to ensure we had the money to purchase equipment that the school desperately needed. I enjoyed taking part in such a worthwhile cause and I’m much healthier for it!”
Another apprentice, Arhian Davies, added “the experience was really enjoyable and an eye-opener for all of us. We got to interact with the students which reinforced why we were doing the project and why facilities like the Sensory Room are so important to children whose needs wouldn't be met in a mainstream school.”
Gerry Bishop, Cobham’s Emerging Talent Manager said “we offered the apprentices the opportunity to get involved in a community project as part of their apprenticeships because giving back to the communities in which we are located is taken very important to Cobham. There are some very worthwhile causes that we believe our employees could get involved in; it also supports their personal development.”
“I am proud of the apprentices for battling the elements and raising funds for Beaucroft Foundation School. I hope the experience will encourage them to get involved in similar projects in future and that they have not been put off cycling for life!”
