CHILDREN in Farnworth are starting the school day with a nutritious breakfast thanks to a donation from a transport business. 

Queensbridge Primary School has received a £500 grant from Arriva Transport Solutions (ATSL), which operates the non-emergency patient transport service in Greater Manchester, towards the running of its breakfast club.

Jane Twigg, a controller at ATSL and a school governor, said: “Children need to start the day with a decent breakfast inside them so that all their energy can be focused on learning.

“The club also encourages children to attend school who are always late or persistently absent. At the moment, we can only accommodate 10 children per day but we have at least another 20 who would benefit greatly from this project.”

The grant was given to the school as part of Arriva’s Community Action Awards which hands out thousands of pounds to charities and community organisations nominated by its employees.

Arriva Transport Solutions Director, Marjorie Haynes, said: “The Community Action Awards allow us to support our staff in carrying out their wonderful work in the community.

“I am extremely proud of the work Jane is doing at Queensbridge Primary School and delighted that the Community Action Award has had such a positive impact on their pupils’ health and education.”

As well as getting a hearty breakfast, the club also forms part of the children’s education with games and activities.

Jane added: “At the moment I give all the free time I have to the school as I find it extremely rewarding.

“We have to raise approximately £4,000 a year to support this and other projects at the school so the £500 from ATSL has made such a difference.

“Attendance is up and the children absolutely love the breakfast club so I can’t thank ATSL enough for this.”