Clearview National December 2018 - Issue 205 | Page 8

INDUSTRYNEWS
SYSTEMS GIANT
HELPS LOCAL
SCHOOL START
NEW CHAPTER
» » INDUSTRY-LEADING PVC-U
systems supplier VEKA Group, has transformed
a double decker bus into an inspirational
reading space for a local primary school, after it
won thousands of online votes.
Children at Whittlefield Primary School
were delighted to get a first look inside their
new school library when it was officially
opened by the Mayor of Burnley; who is also a
former pupil of the school.
VEKA worked with regional radio station
2BR to promote the ‘VEKA Community
Challenge’, where local projects could be
nominated for a ‘big fix’ and Whittlefield
Primary School was overwhelmingly voted the
winner.
The transformation took just five weeks,
with help from a host of businesses across
Lancashire and more than 750 hours of
volunteered time.
Headteacher Helen Kershaw said: “We
had the bus donated and had begun to do
the basic groundwork, but turning it into
a usable and beautiful library became an
overwhelming challenge we simply couldn’t
complete without help.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the work
that VEKA and all the other volunteers have
done; it’s phenomenal and we’re so grateful! I
even cried a little when I saw the completed
top deck. Before this, we didn’t have the space
for a dedicated library within the school, so
it really will make an enormous difference for
generations of pupils. Thousands of children
will enjoy the benefit of this inspirational
reading space over the coming years.
“We were delighted to welcome the Mayor
to do the official ‘unveiling’ and the children
were very lucky to meet Burnley Author
Linda Sutherland. We were also joined by
Paul Duckworth who is heading up the ‘Let’s
Get Reading’ initiative across Lancashire this
year, and he was just as thrilled as us to see the
finished library.
“As well as championing reading, hopefully
this project might also have inspired the
children to think about their future careers - as
they’ve been learning about the work of an
Artist, Marketing Manager, Electrician and
VEKA employee to name just a few!”
VEKA’s Marketing Director Dawn
Stockell said: “We were thrilled to work on
what became the ‘Whittlefield Woodland
Library Bus’. VEKA is well known for
getting stuck in to charity work, community
causes and local projects. It’s a significant
part of the company’s ethos and one that we
are very proud of.
“With VEKA’s ‘Community Challenge’,
we wanted to offer the local community
an opportunity to benefit from the team’s
practical skills and partnering with 2BR
gave us this chance. We couldn’t wait to
roll up our sleeves and get stuck in, and the
transformation has been incredible; creating
the unique reading space the children
deserve.
“With 45 volunteers (both from VEKA and
keen local helpers) we were able to complete
the project in just five weeks. It has been quite
an undertaking, racking up more than 750
volunteer hours. Along with VEKA’s time,
suppliers across Lancashire have also been
incredibly generous and donated products
and services worth over £25,000 to create a
welcoming and inspiring space. We hope the
children enjoy it for many years to come.”
As well as VEKA and 2BR, generous
suppliers include: Ally’s Sewing Room, A&B
Barker Ltd, Carpet Market, Crown Paints,
Dexter Decorative Supplies, Doorway to
Value, Eyre & Elliston, Fort Vale, Foyle
Foundation, Gorilla Glue, Graffiti Rooms,
Green Slate Trophies, Gym Upholstery UK,
Howarth Timber, Immanuel Fabrics, K
Supplies, LED Electrical, MABRON Plastics,
Panaz, Pendle Village Mill, Phillips Business
Solutions, Robinson & Lawlor, RU Comfy
Beanbags, Scott Dawson Agency, Tetrad, Top
Class Photography, Transdev, Vantex, and
Wellybobs Roadshow.
www.vekauk.com
8 » DEC 2018 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M