Gatwick flies school to target

The airport authority has helped the school hit the 50,000 target needed to get its application off the ground, by pledging an 8,500 donation.

Now staff, students and governors are flying high with hopes that the school's proposals will be well received when they compete with other schools and colleges next year for extra funding which, in Littlehampton's case, would be well over 1m.

BAA's pledge follows generous sums of 11,000 from Anita Roddick and The Body Shop, 2,000 from Hollywood actor Woody Harrelson, given when he attended a gala evening in aid of the school appeal, at Mrs Roddick's Slindon home, and numerous amounts large and small from local businesses, past and present students and the Friends of Littlehampton Community School.

The Gazette played a part, too, with its Aim for the B.E.S.T. (Business and Enterprise School Target) campaign, encouraging businesses and the community to back the school.

Head teacher Jayne Wilson said the team making the bid for the school had worked really hard to secure 41,500 in sponsorship in the first two months since the appeal was launched. "We just needed that extra push to meet the target which would enable us to submit our application.

#"We are absolutely thrilled that BAA Gatwick has stepped in to supply the last piece of the jigsaw. It is fantastic news for the school and, on behalf of everyone, I would like to say a big thank you for this generous support."

The airport's involvement with the school has been forged through Neil Windeatt, a senior development manager for BAA Gatwick, whose daughter is at the school.

He initially approached the airport's community relations department about joining an employee volunteering programme which encourages staff to become involved with community projects run by local organisations and charities.

On his first meeting with Geoff Davis, assistant head at the school, Neil learned about the fund raising drive and, in turn, reported back to BAA Gatwick's community relations manager Julie Ayres, who decided the company would step in and donate the funds necessary to meet the 50,000 target.

Said Julie: "It is a pleasure to help Littlehampton with this donation. BAA Gatwick is a major benefactor of the specialist college status scheme, and we have supported other local schools in West Sussex with similar applications.

"We are delighted to have played a part in Littlehampton's bid and hope they will be successful. With Neil's involvement, we hope this will be the start of a long-term partnership between Littlehampton and BAA Gatwick."