There are lots of ways to help Rainbow Hub. Take on a challenge, do your own event, volunteer at one of ours, sign up or make a single ‘quick click’ donation. Whatever you do, it will brighten the lives of more disabled children and young people.
The North West-based Wain Group is donating £5 million to fund the construction and fit-out of a pioneering school in Lancashire for children with special educational needs.
The donation to Rainbow Hub marks the launch of the Wain Foundation, through which the family-owned company will distribute a percentage of its profits each year to benefit the communities in which the Group operates.
The new charitable Foundation celebrates the company’s 50th year in business and Wain Group founder, Bill Ainscough, who will chair the Foundation, said: “We wanted to make a powerful statement of the Foundation’s intent by supporting a charity that does incredible work and makes a significant difference to the quality of life for many families.”
The Foundation’s first beneficiary is a charity close to Bill’s heart being located near to where the Wain Group first began.
Based at Mawdesley, near Chorley, Rainbow Hub currently offers six places to children aged 5-11 years who have physical needs but can follow an academic curriculum. The donation will allow the provision to be significantyly extended offering places to approximately 21 children aged 5 – 16 years.
There will be several therapy rooms, a ground level Rebound Therapy trampoline and an accessible life skills room. The building has been designed with shared spaces which will be used by all the services across Rainbow Hub with a room available for parents as a social area.
Designed by Seven Architects and being built by TMT Construction, the new building is scheduled for completion in June 2024, ready for opening in September 2024.
Rainbow Hub chief executive, Lyndsay Fahey, said: “This is such a significant moment for us and we never expected to have the new school funded in its entirety by one single, generous, donation from the Wain Foundation.
“It is absolutely wonderful and we are all so very thankful.
“There is no other facility like Rainbow Hub in the region and it helps hundreds of children every year reach their full potential. In the past 12 months, 141 children and young people from across the North West benefitted from services by Rainbow Hub, with more than 30 children travelling from within a 15- mile radius.
“Building work is now underway and we cannot wait to see the building take shape.”
Every year a percentage of the Wain Group profits will be allocated to The Wain Foundation and will then be distributed to support charities and specific projects on the North West, Severn Valley and South West.
Bill added: “As a property company, we physically help communities develop and grow and feel it is important to support them on a wider level to prosper and thrive by directing support to those who need it most.
“I am honoured to become Chairman of the trustees of the Foundation and I am determined to ensure it makes a real difference to people’s lives.”
The Foundation will be administered by a Board of Trustees with a broad range of experience.
The next allocation of funding will be available from October 2024 and interested charities can register their interest here enquiries@wainfoundation.org.uk to receive more information on how and when to apply.
