CHILDREN THANK LIVERPOOL COMPANY FOR SAFETY DONATION

A Merseyside primary school has thanked one of the city’s businesses for donating clothing to help keep its children safe during the dark mornings and evenings.

Hale C of E Primary School has received 50 fluorescent jackets to ensure the children are clearly visible when out walking to the local park and church for events.

The donation was made by Liverpool Volkswagen Van Centre and means the school no longer has to rely on borrowing high visibility jackets in future.

Marianne Mowatt, headteacher at Hale C of E Primary School, welcomed the delivery of the jackets.

She said: “Donations to the school are always welcome, but this one is important to keep the children together in a safe way while outside of the school’s premises.

“The children are very excited about the jackets and I can’t thank Liverpool Volkswagen Van Centre enough for them.

“We often take the children on walks around the village, including to the church and park, so having them clearly visibly, especially at this time of year, is vital.”

Liverpool Volkswagen Van Centre has been based in Speke for just over one year and the centre’s head of business, Dave Cowan, is always looking at ways of forging links with the local community.

He said: “The van centre is delighted to be able to provide the school’s children with the jackets as it reinforces one of the key criteria for Volkswagen, namely safety.

“As a relatively new business to the area it’s vital to integrate it with the local community and we’ll continue to find ways of doing so.

“It’s great to see young children making use of the jackets and we hope they are encouraged to wear safe clothing after leaving school.”

SWANSWAY GROUPS INVESTS MILLIONS IN MERSEYSIDE

Merseyside will soon see the return of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand to the city, after an absence of over six years.

The retailer group Swansway has invested almost £2m in a state-of-the-art van centre in Speke, bringing with it 15 new jobs.

Work started on the new Liverpool Volkswagen Van Centre in April, with the doors opening at the Woodend Avenue site in January.

The new centre will include a five van showroom, seven bay workshop and dedicated MOT bay.

David Cowan, Liverpool Volkswagen Van Centre’s brand manager, said: “Liverpool has been without a dedicated brand franchise for too long and we are delighted to bring Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles back to the city.

“This investment demonstrates our commitment to providing businesses and van drivers on Merseyside with an official Volkswagen facility.

“The site will be one of biggest in the UK and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ only stand alone site in the country with the latest corporate branding, something we’re very proud of.

“As part of the new development we’ve created 15 new jobs and with future growth expected more jobs could be generated.”

The van centre is expected to generate sales of approximately 1,250 new and used vehicles in 2011, with a targeted increase in 2012.

David added: “Previously, Volkswagen van customers in Liverpool had to travel to Wrexham, Preston or Manchester for brand-backed sales.

“The new centre will remove the need for customers to travel any distance for all their Volkswagen needs.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming new and old customers of the brand when we open in January.”

Simon Elliott, director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK, said: “Liverpool is one of the UK’s thriving cities and we’re delighted Swansway has invested in a Volkswagen franchise for the city.

“This site will be a flagship Volkswagen van centre and we’re looking forward to watching the business grow.”

STAFF GET ON THEIR BIKES FOR CHILDREN’S CHARITY

Staff from a Leeds car retailer braved sun, wind and rain to cycle over the Pennines recently, all in the aid of a West Yorkshire children’s charity.

The team of sixteen from Leeds Volkswagen took two days to travel the 132 miles from Leeds to Liverpool for “Cash for Kids”, raising over £1,000 in the process.

The charity helps thousands of sick, disabled and underprivileged children in West Yorkshire.

Navigating their way along the canal system the team stopped overnight in Burnley for medical attention and rest before completing the journey to Liverpool, finishing at the Albert Dock on the Liverpool waterfront.

Event organiser and Leeds Volkswagen workshop controller, Paul Smith, said: “Everyone was shattered by the time we arrived in Liverpool but delighted to have completed such a mammoth journey for such a good cause.

“It was a great effort by everyone not only due of the elements but because the tow path often disappeared into mud, grass or rubble, sometimes a combination of all three.

“The team spent their own time and money in preparing for this, including costs for accommodation, equipment and travel back.

“Most had never cycled before and had to purchase a bike, helmet, and other equipment in order to carry out the ride.”

It’s not too late to donate money for the charity, simply got to www.justgiving.com/leedsvolkswagen of call in to the retailer on Elland Road opposite Leeds United Football Club.

If you are interested in this story please contact Richard Knowles on 01902 714 957 or email richard@connect-group.com