The Game Fair 2017 and Lord’s Taverners to put a new minibus on the road for Hertfordshire school

Visitors to The Game Fair 2017 will help put a new accessible minibus on the road for a Hertfordshire special school thanks to a new partnership with the Lord’s Taverners.

The Game Fair have nominated the Lord’s Taverners as its official charity partner and through fundraising events between now and the The Game Fair, at Hatfield House on 28-30 July, it will be helping to provide a new minibus for pupils at Lakeside School in Welwyn Garden City.

The school caters for pupils aged 2-19 with severe learning difficulties, autism and profound and multiple learning difficulties and the minibus will provide a vital lifeline for youngsters to get out and engage with their local community and build life skills in the process.

And, as the Lord’s Taverners celebrate the 40th anniversary of the minibus programme, another of the iconic green minibuses could join the 1,100 that have already been presented to schools since 1976 thanks to the partnership between The Game Fair 2017 and the UK’s leading youth cricket and disability sports charity.

Judith Chamberlain, Head Teacher at Lakeside School said: “I cannot thank the organisers of Game Fair 2017 enough for their generous offer of a minibus for our school. A minibus allows our children to access their off-site education and to be involved in their local community. It allows us to offer enriching cultural, social and sporting experiences. I am very grateful to Lord’s Taverners for their continued support.”

James Gower, Managing Director of The Game Fair, said: “The Lords Taverners have the ability to pin-point support locally with local fundraising for local causes. Their immensely proactive network and attitude was the catalyst that led us to want to work with them as our official official charity and above all, our partner. The Game Fair feels privileged to be working with such an important and energetic organisation.”

Every year, the Lord’s Taverners donate over £3 million to help young people of all abilities and backgrounds participate in sporting activities. In 2015 the Lord’s Taverners ensured that over 188,000 young people were given a sporting chance, creating 9.4 million sporting chances across all charitable programmes, including disability cricket, community cricket, minibuses, wheelchair sports, disability play spaces, sensory rooms and more.

Paul Robin, Lord’s Taverners CEO, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with The Game Fair 2017 to help change the lives of the pupils at Lakeside School. The Lord's Taverners believes that sport and recreation are essential for all young people, regardless of ability or background. With the support of The Game Fair 2017, its exhibitors and visitors, this minibus will help the pupils at Lakeside School to get out and enjoy new places and experiences in their region.”