Following recognition from our partners at Stagecoach Bluebird that children, young people, and families throughout north Scotland require our services and support but sadly can't reach the Playscheme at our Aberdeen facilities, a solution was needed to bridge that gap.
As a result, Stagecoach Bluebird kindly donated a double-decker bus that would enable us to take our unique sensory environment on the road to support more individuals across the region.
Following a successful fundraising campaign and kind donations from our supporters, we are thrilled to announce that we have now raised enough funds to have Binky the Sensory Bus, as fondly named by our group of children and young people, make the journey down to the team at SpaceKraft who will soon be working on its internal fit out, ready for launch in June 2023.
In preparation for the official launch of Binky, we are delighted to collaborate with our partners at SensationALL to optimise the potential of Binky to ensure we are providing the best possible sensory experiences to children and their families across the north of Scotland.
A-ND couldn't be prouder to work with Susan Strachan, Katie McNutt and the rest of the SensationALL team, working closely with an organisation that shares our vision and is working tirelessly to bring it to life.
A huge thank you to Stagecoach for not only the donation of Binky the Sensory Bus but for assisting with the logistics to get the bus down to SpaceKraft and for committing to provide continued generous support across the next three years.
With this support from Stagecoach, Binky will be serviced and well maintained to ensure its facilities are appropriate for the children and young people who rely on it, as well as providing overnight storage no matter where in the north of Scotland, delivering comprehensive training to the soon to be recruited team in charge of taking Binky around the region and providing fuel supply for the project.
The internal fit-out of Binky to get the bus on the road would not be possible without the support & funding of our partners at Stagecoach, Serica Energy, Trefoil House, Northsound Cash for Kids, RS Macdonald, Edward Gostling, and the Gordon & Ena Baxter Foundation.
A project of this size would be impossible without this incredible support. We are incredibly excited to have Binky back with us, fully kitted out and ready to get on the road for June 2023, starting by making a guest appearance at our inaugural fundraising dinner, the Think Different Golf Day & Dinner, taking place on Thursday the 25th of May at Meldrum House Hotel.
Following the launch, we are planning to have our team, along with SensationALL on Binky, providing support in or around the following areas from June 2023: Peterhead; Fraserburgh; Banff; Buckie; Huntly; Alford; Banchory; and Stonehaven.
Essential to guaranteeing the success of the project, we now require essential funds to contribute to running costs. If you would like to find out more about Binky the Sensory Bus, including options for sponsorship, please contact us by phone via 01224 277 900 or by email at admin@a-nd.org.uk with the subject ‘Binky the Sensory Bus’.
Or, if you would like to refer your child for Outreach support in the targeted areas, please contact us via email at referrals@a-nd.org.uk. Due to the limited availability of spaces, referrals will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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