BiP joins forces with Scottish Government to support children with autism
The Scottish Government and BiP Solutions have raised thousands of pounds for the Scottish Society for Autism's School at New Struan, Alloa, a charitable boarding school providing support to children with autism.
The money was raised by members of the Scottish procurement community attending the Scottish Government’s National Procurement Conference, held at the SECC, Glasgow in October 2007. The event was organised by BiP Solutions Ltd, one of Europe’s leading providers of public contracts information.
Thanks to the generosity of speakers giving their time for free, the surplus raised through contributions from private sector delegates and exhibitors came to £11,500. BiP Solutions also donated ten laptop computers to the school, enabling older children to study and learn outside of school hours.
Presenting a cheque to the school, Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney said: "New Struan provides an extremely valuable service to children and families in Scotland living with autism. The Scottish Society for Autism provides excellent care and educational opportunities, giving children improved social understanding and communication.
“I am therefore delighted to be able to donate the £11,500 surplus from our National Procurement Conference held earlier this year. Our partners BiP also contributed to the donation today and I know the money will go towards giving even more children with autism a safe, happy, stimulating environment."
Ron Burges, CEO for BiP, said: “We are delighted to support the Scottish Society for Autism with this donation. As a Scottish business, it is important to us to support such worthy causes within the community.
“The teachers and support workers at the school do a magnificent job in supporting autistic children and their families and their dedication and commitment is inspiring. I would also like to thank all those from within the procurement community who attended the event in October and gave so generously to this very deserving cause.”
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) describes a variety of lifelong conditions which isolate the child or adult from the world as we know it – one in 110 people in Scotland have autism, which amounts to 46,167 people. The condition affects the ability to communicate, form relationships and understand everyday activities. People with autism and their families require a range of specialist advice and support and children, especially, must receive appropriate education to develop their full potential.
The Scottish Society for Autism’s school at New Struan provides specialist education for children with autism between the ages of 5-17, on a mainly residential basis. The children at the school come from all over Scotland. Children are grouped according to age, ability and school experience and the aim of the school is to create an atmosphere in which students feel secure and where learning skills are developed.
