A CHARITABLE trust run by the Grocott family, founders of Whitchurch-based Grocontinental, will be helping to keep a minibus on the road for students at two primary schools.

Whixall CE Primary School and Prees CE Primary School, both managed by the Fields Multi-Academy Trust, have received a donation which will cover fuel and maintenance costs for the vehicle over the next three years.

The schools lease the minibus from Shropshire Council.

Linda Grocott, a charity trustee, visited Prees Primary School to see the new vehicle and to meet some of the children who will benefit from using the bus.

She was delighted to be able to put something back into a school she enjoyed attending.

“As a local community, we are extremely fortunate to have two exceptional schools on our doorstep under the headship of Nicola Brayford," she said. "School memories are made of trips to other schools to play sport and days out for field trip activities which the new minibus will facilitate.

“Both my brother, David, and I attended Whixall Primary School and my father, Ray, went to Prees School. We’re really pleased to be able to support the running of the new minibus.”

Neale Sadler, a director of the Fields Multi-Academy Trust, formed in 2016, said: “We are very committed to preserving our small rural schools in both Whixall and Prees for our children.

"It is really important for children to be transported between the two schools to enhance their learning experiences and also to be able to participate in a wealth of sporting and educational activities away from the schools.

“The minibus is a great addition to school life and we are extremely grateful to the Grocott family for their very generous donation.

"The funding provided by the Trust will literally keep our vehicle on the road for the next three years.”