Star Minibus

Located in Ullenwood just outside Cheltenham, The National Star College has taken delivery of their first Irisbus Iveco 17 seat Minibus.

Based on the Daily 50C15 the vehicle was fitted out to their specification by Brecon Coachworks and includes quick release seating on a flat floor and is fitted with a Ratcliff Passenger Lift which enables up to 5 wheelchairs to be carried at any one time

The National Star College is a unique establishment which provides residential courses for students with physical disabilities or acquired brain injury.

The college has residential accommodation on site but also has other premises off site in Gloucester and in Cheltenham and currently runs eight Minibuses which are used to transfer students to and from the centre.

They also run an Irisbus Iveco Scolabus which was supplied to the college over five years ago, and can accommodate up to twenty wheelchairs.

The Daily Minibus features 146hp Euro 4 diesel engine coupled to a ZF S6 400 six speed gearbox and is fitted with an electrically operated plug door with combined electric step.

The vehicle specifications included Eberspacher Climate Control, Cogent Seating and the wheelchair/passenger restraints were supplied by Unwins

Irisbus (UK) limited

National Star College information:

National Star College (an independent registered charity) is a leading provider of specialist education, training, independence and personal development opportunities for young disabled people (162 students, aged 16-25) from across the UK.

The College has particular expertise in designing and delivering programmes for students with severe and complex physical disabilities or acquired brain injuries, with associated communication, learning, sensory, medical, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

The College also offers part time courses to over 160 adults with disabilities from Gloucestershire.

National Star College is the business name for The National Star Centre for Disabled Youth. Registered Charity No. 220239. Company limited by guarantee No. 522846

National Star College, Ullenwood, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 9QU
(http://www.natstar.ac.uk)

Star Appeal

Over the last 40 years the National Star College has achieved great things, but now we are faced with new challenges. The survival of premature babies with long term disabilities, acquired brain injuries through accident or illness and the opportunity for education that new technology can offer means that our students needs are more complex and diverse than ever before. If we are to continue offering the best life chances to disabled young people, we can’t stand still. We have to improve and expand.

Our vision is to extend our campus, provide more and improved student accommodation, increase our range of education, training and learning programmes, provide more opportunities for work-related learning, and offer better part-time learning opportunities to disabled adults.

To turn these plans into a reality we need to raise £15.4 million – to date almost £12million has been raised, with pledges of 50 percent support from the Learning and Skills Council, and further pledges from many generous trusts and individuals (http://www.starappeal.org)

Lynne Carter
Director Fundraising and Marketing

National Star College
Ullenwood
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL53 9QU

T: 01242 535978
F: 01242 534920
(http://www.natstar.ac.uk)

Iveco

Iveco designs, manufactures, and markets a broad range of light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, off-road trucks, city and intercity buses and coaches under the Irisbus brand as well as special vehicles for applications such as fire fighting, off-road missions, defence and civil protection.

Iveco employs over 24,500 people and runs 28 production units in 16 Countries in the world using excellent technologies developed in 5 research centres. Besides Europe, the company operates in China, Russia, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, and South Africa. More than 4,600 service outlets in over 100 Countries guarantee technical support wherever in the world an Iveco vehicle is at work.

Irisbus Iveco UK manufacturers passenger carrying vehicles ranging from 17 seat Daily minibuses through to the largest executive coaches and 68 seat school buses.