A SCHOOL for autistic children has taken delivery of a 17-seater minibus donated by a showbusiness charity.

The Variety Club Sunshine Coach was handed over to the Barbara Priestman School, Meadowside, Sunderland, by Kevin Ball, youth team coach and former first team manager at Sunderland AFC.

The vehicle, sponsored by The Co-operative, will be used to transport pupils on educational trips.

Malcolm Brenner, chairman of The Variety Club’s Sunshine Coach committee, said: “Since 1962, we have donated more than 5,000 Sunshine Coaches. The minibuses ensure children can interact with the world around them in an environment of fun, entertainment and education, whilst ensuring our most precious cargo is transported as safely as possible.”

Suzanne Heron, of The Co-operative, said: “It’s fantastic that pupils will be able to get out and about, learning social skills and building their confidence.”

School headteacher Carolyn Barker said finding suitable transport for pupils was one of the school’s biggest issues. “Having the coach will mean that we can just concentrate on where we want to go, rather than how we are going to get there,” she said.