One of our pathway learning mentors at Communication Specialist College Doncaster (CSCD) has completed a 215-mile coast to coast challenge this summer for charity.
Kieran James, aged 46 from Maltby, Rotherham, has been working at CSCD for two years, he was joined on his trip by friend John Musgrove who works for the NHS. The duo have raised £1000 to help students at Kieran’s college to develop a new café learning area.
Kieran said: “I can’t believe we’ve done it! We trained hard and the coast to coast route took us five days. The hardest day was definitely day two but once we’d got beyond that we got into a pattern.
“I really wanted to be able to help out students with their plans to turn a building at Doncaster Deaf Trust into a café and enterprise shop.
“Our students all have communication difficulties and thrive from the hands-on learning experience of being in an environment where they learn to interact with more people. They have successfully run a popular enterprise shop, selling items that they have made from a hut for a number of years. They are now working on plans to make a more permanent base and add a café at the Trust to help those students learning barista skills to flourish.
“Cycling is a real passion of mine; I have suffered with my mental health in the past and I did this charity cycle to give something back as I feel that cycling sort of saved my life.
“This is the first time I’ve taken on a challenge like this, and I’m so grateful that people sponsored the two of us. There is still chance to donate and to help the students to develop this project that will make a difference to our students lives for many years to come.”
CSCD offers tailored education and support for students varying in need from those with severe learning disabilities, who need one to one support at all times through to those students who are working towards level 3 vocational qualifications.
The college has all the vocational facilities of a mainstream college including hair salon, garage, sports centre, joinery workshops, with the benefit of small class sizes and communication, pastoral and therapeutic support providing young people, who can’t access a mainstream college, an opportunity to access the courses they want to.
Alexis Johnson, our executive principal, said: “Wow! Well done to Kieran and John they have both given up time in their holidays to complete this challenge and are all extremely grateful for their fundraising efforts.
“There is something special about the Trust and it is clear to see this when members of staff feel so passionate about their place of work that they want to take action personally to help.
“As a charity every penny makes a difference to our pupils and students experience of learning and we all work hard to make sure that what they experience is life changing.”
To sponsor Kieran visit : https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kieran-james74?utm_source=Sharethis&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=kieran-james74&utm_campaign=pfp-email&utm_term=f09cd852c4d34675b5f6538eba45fae1.