A team of 69 intrepid cyclists from BP have successfully completed a 270 mile Coast to Coast biking challenge from the Isle of Skye to Aberdeen generating over £38,000 in aid of VSA’s Easter Anguston Farm.
Thanks to the incredible amount raised by BP and other generous supporters, VSA are planning to create a purpose built education centre that will enable them to deliver SVQ training to vulnerable adults. The farm currently provides a unique learning environment for people who have learning disabilities and additional support needs.
Developing an education centre onsite will allow VSA to support more adult trainees, and will enable the local charity to deliver desk-based, vocational and digital skills learning in a fit-for-purpose environment. VSA will be offering accredited qualifications to the adult trainees such as SVQs in subjects based around Agricultural, Animal Husbandry and Horticulture to complement the existing practical training. The aim is to enhance trainee employability.
The Centre will also provide additional interactive educational learning days to nurseries and schools from across the region to support VSA’s farm to fork initiative.
Coast to Coast chairman Guy Phillips said: “It’s a tough three days on the bike, however, knowing the difference we are helping to make to the trainees at Easter Anguston Farm makes it all worthwhile. The farm is a truly special learning environment and it is amazing to see first-hand how our support is changing lives in the community.”
VSA’s director of external relations Jennifer Mitchell said: “We have been blown away by the incredible support BP has given to VSA through this year’s Coast to Coast challenge. At VSA we support a person’s physical, emotional, and social wellbeing through a range of residential and outreach support services. It is with thanks to support from BP and others that we can give vulnerable people in Aberdeen the skills, opportunities, experiences and environments they need to realise their dreams and lead more independent and integrated lives. With the new education centre we plan overtime to expand our learning pathways to people with physical disabilities; primarily at the moment we focus on adults with learning or mental disabilities.”
If you would like to find out more or provide support to VSA please visit www.vsa.org.uk
