The Kingfisher Community Special School is Oldham’s provision for primary aged children with severe and complex learning needs. Kingfisher ensures that the children receive the very best possible learning opportunities and make at least good progress. As such, the school strives to ensure that this happens through robust yet creative and innovative practice.
The school has a Borough-wide catchment area, and has recently been further developed and extended to enable it to provide for an increasing population of children with unique needs.
Zen employees raised nearly £10,000 for last year’s charity, Boomerang, the multi sensory play centre in Bury. Lots of events were organised throughout the year offering a chance for everyone to get involved. In May a team of 46 employees ran the 10Km Bupa Great Manchester Run. It was the 9th year that Zen employees took part in the run to raise money for its chosen charity.
Emma Birkett, Boomerang came into Zen to receive the final cheque and was overwhelmed with how much was raised. "The money Zen raised has allowed us to develop and offer a better experience to all the children that visit Boomerang. Our next project with donations is to create a 4D immersive space. Our immersive space will be used for young people and adults with sensory and physical needs. It will be a calming zone that enables everyone to take control of their environment, developing new confidence, interacting with each other and the world around them."
Zen’s most recent fundraising event was a Charity Auction held in September raising £1,576 for Boomerang. One of the auction items was a signed hockey stick by Olympic medal winner Nicola White. Nicola came in with her medal and presented winning bidder with the signed stick and shirt.
“Zen has its roots in the North West and as such we have a real passion for the local area, which is why we selected Kingfisher as our chosen charity for this year. We are fully committed to our chosen charity to ensure our fundraising activities can make a real difference. We have held many successful events this year including a Bring and Buy sale, auctions, raffles and a team of 8 employees who took part in the British Gas Great Manchester Swim. We will be continuing with our efforts throughout the year including once again the Great Manchester Run,” said Caroline Taylor, HR Director and Head of Zen’s Social and Charities Committee.