A trio of local businessmen raised over £600 towards Derwen College’s 2017 fundraising target when they participated in the Oswestry Half Marathon recently.

Managing directors Dean Jones and Joshua Weaver and Marketing Executive, Adam Thomas from a local printing company in Welshpool; We Are Promotional Products, took the plunge and decided to run the Oswestry Half Marathon in aid of Derwen College. We Are Promotional Products kindly donated printed T-Shirts for all those running for the college.

“We are hugely grateful for the amount they have raised – £610 and we would like to say a MASSIVE thank you. This fundraising will go towards our £50,000 target this year needed to make repairs to the college swimming pool” said Jade Turner, Charity Marketing Officer at Derwen College.

“The support from the community and businesses such as this is so important to us a charity and anybody interested in getting involved with fundraising can find out more at www.supportderwen.org.uk” Jade continued.

As Derwen College celebrates its 90th birthday this year their fundraising target of £50,000 is needed to ensure the swimming pool on site remains in service. This highly valuable and popular resource has served the students well for over 40 years and is used for sport, recreation, canoe training for Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as well as therapies.

“The training was hard work and we are still in pain, but it was well worth it in the end! We had a great day at the Half Marathon and felt proud to be raising money for Derwen College” – said Dean Jones, We Are Promotional Products.

Two brothers and their best friend are planning to cycle from London to Paris to raise money for Derwen College swimming pool renovations.

Elliot and Max Pettifer, along with their life-long friend Matthew Weston, have nicknamed themselves the Reliant Robins and are currently in training for the gruelling 300-mile, 4 day sponsored cycle ride in September.

The lads, who are all in their twenties, pledged their help after hearing Derwen College have a fundraising target of £50,000 needed to make urgent repairs to their swimming pool.

250 young people with learning difficulties and disabilities who study at Derwen use the pool for vital hydrotherapy and physiotherapy sessions.

Max Pettifer said: “I was blown away by the enthusiasm of the students, teachers and supporters. They really are the nicest bunch of people with the kindest hearts.

“It’s such a shame the employment rate is so low for people with learning difficulties. I really hope our ride can make a difference and that the swimming pool we are helping to repair will have a positive effect on the students’ lives.”

The Reliant Robins are hoping to raise more than £10,000 for the college and have launched a Crowd Funding page to help boost sponsorship from the public, friends and family.

Matthew Weston, who admitted the trio had rarely cycled further than the local shops, said: “Derwen College receives very limited government funding and relies heavily on fundraisers and donations.

“When we saw the great work being carried out at the college we knew we had to help. The students enjoy using the pool for sport, recreation and training sessions for Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

“Swimming helps to build their strength and their confidence and we could all see how much it means to them.

“We’re not long-distance cyclists so we are really having to train hard.  It’s going to be a difficult and gruelling journey but with every mile we take we’ll be helping other young people like ourselves get a great start in life.”

Louise Keevil, Director Charity and Corporate Services at Derwen College said: “We are delighted that Max, Elliot and Mathew have chosen us as their charity for their bike ride from London to Paris. Times have never been as tough as they are now and without the kindness of others we would never be able to afford to get our pool back.

“It might seem like a luxury for some people but swimming is a vital part of our treatment here and it really improves the students’ quality of life.”

You can follow the Reliant Robins and Derwen College on their journey via

Twitter – @reliant_robins @derwencollege

Facebook – @reliantrobins @derwencollege

Instagram – @thereliantrobins

For more information, interviews, images and videos or if you would like to join the ride please contact:

Elliot Pettifer, Onshore Media

01752 262432

Elliotpettifer@weareonshore.com

Click here for a video of the Reliant Robins talking about the ride.

Click here for a video of Derwen College commenting on the fundraiser.

Derwen College based in Gobowen, Shropshire have achieved Gold Standard level for their provision of Work Experience for their students for the second time.

The award was given  by Fair Train who are the owners of the national Work Experience Quality Standard accreditation. The award was presented to Abi Baker, Work Experience Co-ordinator at Derwen College by Ian Jelley, Deputy Chief Executive of Fair Train.

Students at Derwen College are able to access high quality work experience opportunities from year 1 with a range of internal quality work experience sessions within chosen programme areas and the operational and commercial outlets in college. These outlets include the Orangery Restaurant, Tiffins Coffee Shop, Young’s Farm Shop, Garden Centre, Garden Café and the Walled Garden. These outlets are open to the public seven days a week and ensure students are learning to industry standard across the range of vocational studies on offer here which include Land Based Studies, Hospitality and Catering, Retail and Business Studies and Creative Studies & Personal Development.

“We are so pleased with this second Gold Award which is a reflection on the hard work, enthusiasm and dedication of all the staff here. Our aims for the students here are that they have the opportunity to access meaningful work placements, we also have a Transition Team who liaise with employers in the home areas of students as they approach the end of their learning here at Derwen to continue the learning and the opportunities” said Abi Baker, Work experience Co-ordinator at Derwen College.

The Work Experience Quality Standard is a national accreditation which provides external quality assurance for high quality work experience and employability programmes. The accreditation provides a framework for organisations to work towards, ensuring the placements they offer are high quality. There are frameworks available for employers, learning providers and facilitators, which complement each other and ensures that the learner journey is mapped consistently.

“Derwen College are accredited at Gold level with the national Work Experience Quality Standard.  This accreditation which is owned by Fair Train, recognises organisations that are leading their field with high quality work experience provision.  The work experience programme that Derwen College runs epitomises all of the elements of best practice.  It is learner focused; tailored to their individual needs, structured; to enable the learners to grow in confidence and develop employability and life skills, and well supported; with expert staff who are passionate about supporting each learner on their journey.  It is fantastic to shine a light on Derwen College’s provision and demonstrate to organisations across the country that high quality work experience can be delivered for all learners.  They have truly embedded work experience into the curriculum and the benefits to learners are clear.  Fair Train is delighted to support their work and recognise their achievements with this award” said Ian Jelley, Deputy Chief Officer at Fair Train.

For more information on the work experience opportunities at Derwen College visit www.derwen.ac.uk/working/work-experience.