We're thrilled to announce that we've secured funding for a new vehicle, enabling us to extend the reach of our schools’ tours.
Grants from The Foyle Foundation and Garfield Weston Foundation, together with support from Guildford Lions and Chapters Financial have meant we could purchase a higher specification vehicle that will also act as a crew van.
Our previous van, nicknamed Vancentio, which had been donated by Chapters in 2012, and had clocked up some 130,000 miles, was no longer fit for purpose, failing its MOTs with mounting repair bills.
The vehicle is vital for transporting sets, props, costumes, sound and lighting for three current annual schools’ tours. It also plays a key role in the main house productions with regards to logistics. However, we were now often having to hire much larger vehicles as the charity’s work had also outgrown it.
KERRIE DRISCOLL, Creative Learning Producer: “The purchase of a new van gave us the option of a crew van enabling us to tour to more schools and venues in one day. The new vehicle will support the expansion of our tours, meaning we can take our work further afield to more socially isolated and less advantaged groups and individuals.”
The vehicle, which is Eco-Friendly will reduce long-term maintenance costs can travel within the Greater London ULEZ, and has been nicknamed VANQUO, in honour of the character Banquo from the play Macbeth, which is the first play to have been toured in the vehicle.
MATT PINCHES, Co-Founder: “We’re incredibly grateful to our supporters for this this funding. Without their grants and the vision and generosity of our local supporters Guildford Lions and Chapters Financial, we simply wouldn’t be able to make these tours happen, which give so much inspiration and experience to people who otherwise would not have access to it.”
