DETERMINED parents have launched an internet “givey” page and a Facebook site in their bid to acquire an urgently needed minibus for disabled youngsters at a Swindon primary school.

They have joined staff and governors at Robert Le Kyng School in a bid to raise £30,000 for a bus that will enable wheelchair-bound children to lead more full and active lives.

They are seeking a big-hearted local firm or individual to either buy or provide a large chunk of the cash required for a new bus which will have a dramatic effect on the school’s physically impaired pupils.

Such a benefactor has so far proved elusive so they are urging people to chip in with their own fund raising activities to boost The Great Robert Le Kyng Wheelie-Bus Fund.

One of the parents Alexandra Moulding, whose four-year-old son Oscar has muscular dystrophy, said that within a week or so of setting up the Givey page they had raised around £2,000.

She said: “We have been overwhelmed by people’s generosity and fundraising activities. They have all come from family and friends. But £30,000 is a lot of money to find so it’s going to be a big effort.”

The 10 disabled children who attend the school in Westcott Street rely heavily on suitable transport to take them to the hydrotherapy pool, sporting events designed for disabled children and various excursions.

But the school’s 15-year-old Ford Transit has trouble going up hills, cannot be relied upon for long journeys and can only carry half of the children and their wheelchairs at one time.

Mother-of-two Mrs Moulding, 38, of Old Town, said: “Finding a reliable minibus that can take up to ten children and at the same time is not a luxury it is an essential.

“The situation is getting pretty desperate. The bus they have now is clapped out and you wonder when it’s going to conk out altogether.”

She added: “Even without a sponsor I believe it is still possible to achieve our target. It would be great to get the community on board - especially at Christmas.

“What better gift can we give than to these children who really need our support? I know money is tight for many, but in the spirit of Christmas maybe people might think twice about buying that box of chocolates and put a couple of quid in the wheelie bus fund instead.”

The school’s business manager Sally Perry stressed the urgency of acquiring a new minibus: “Our 10 physically disabled children cannot go anywhere as a group together because the bus cannot carry them all.

“We are obviously looking for donations but it would be fantastic if a sponsor or two helped us provide this vital transportation for our physically impaired children.”