Regatta provides 6,000 jackets for PGL school visitors

Following on from its collaboration with PGL last year, outdoor-wear retailer Regatta wanted to support the school groups that come to PGL centres as part of the organisations Breakthrough Fund. 

Helen Monks, Regatta’s brand director said: “PGL has funded over £2 million of trips for school groups who wouldn’t be able to afford an outdoor adventure but we understood that for many whilst this removed some barriers to participation, schools still didn’t have the funds for the necessary outdoor equipment.

“We know that part of the enjoyment of any outdoor experience is having the right clothing for adventure, so we are ensuring there are supplies of clothing at every centre for children to use whilst at PGL.”

Funding for schools in need

PGL’s Breakthrough Fund has supported more than 17,000 children to have access to residentials since it launched in 2003, but there are still lots of young people who face a financial barrier. 

Schools can check if they are eligible for 50% funding for residential trips to PGL centres across the UK, and apply, here. 

Michelle Evans, director of product & marketing at PGL Beyond, added: “We know that for some schools the Breakthrough Fund has been hugely valuable and allowed them to be able to create these opportunities but to have the support from Regatta to ensure any child could utilise the clothing stocks they have provided has been a real game changer.”

First ever residential for many primary-aged children

One of the schools to benefit from the initiative is Tinsley Meadows Primary Academy from Sheffield. Through the Breakthrough Fund, many of the children went on their first ever residential to Dearne Valley in February. 

Principal of the school, Tania Macpherson, said: “The opportunity to experience a residential trip is a valuable and memorable primary school event, which we want as many of our children to access as possible.

“This year, the Breakthrough Fund has enabled more of our families to participate in this year’s trip and the offer from Regatta has ensured that all children are much better equipped to fully participate and enjoy all aspects of the residential experience.”

Every child deserves access to a residential

In Scotland, where the Schools Residential Bill was passed in December last year, and was granted royal assent in February, all pupils in state and grant-aided schools will have the chance to experience at least four nights and five days of residential outdoor education during their school career.

PGL Beyond’s Michelle Evans believes this is something that needs to happen across all of the UK.

She added: “We firmly believe that out of the classroom experiences should be a given, not a privilege, and it is vital that every young person has this opportunity during their school years.

“We are encouraged by the hard work Liz Smith MSP has undertaken in Scotland which has also been championed in both Wales and England, but the reality is still too many children are missing out on these vital educational opportunities. They really are part of their journey into shaping brighter futures, and the transition into adulthood and we implore for this to be considered further.”