Our Holiday Chalet Opening
As you may be aware through Facebook and newsletters, our holiday chalet situated at Rockley Park has been undergoing a major refurbishment. Victoria acquired the chalet 9 years ago through the joining of John Grooms and The Shaftesbury Society. Sadly, over the years, due to lack of funds it has deteriorated and students and their families were unable to make use of it.
Thanks to the combined efforts and generosity of local businesses, trades people, volunteers and multi -national companies the school was recently handed the keys to the now completely refurbished chalet.
Sue Hurd, a volunteer at the school and also a Director of a local property development company offered to take matters in hand and approached local businesses to help support the refurbishment project.
“The response was amazing”, said Sue. “Myself and my business partner, Nathan Pike, made numerous phone calls, sent emails and approached suppliers and businesses to ask for their help with the project”.
She continued, “The support, generosity and kindness shown over the past few months of the refurbishment has been overwhelming from sole traders to multi-national companies along with individual people who have approached me offering their help.”
Lord Shaftesbury, a regular supporter of the school, performed the honours of officially opening the chalet and guests were treated to a delicious BBQ supplied by the school as a small way of saying a huge Thank You to everyone who has given their time and support during the refurbishment of ‘Victoria Lodge’!
Simon Brown Headteacher at Victoria Education Centre commented. “When Sue, offered her help we were over the moon. This has been a wonderful community spirited project and we really can’t thank everyone enough for their donations and their time. Giving up their weekends, evenings and early mornings to make this happen, this really has been a DIY SOS project! The holiday chalet is now a wonderful place where our students and their families can spend quality time together.”