College hits the bulls-eye with PPDG

College hits the bulls-eye with PPDG

A Birmingham college has hit the bulls-eye after buying archery equipment following a £500 donation from generous workers.

Queen Alexandra College (QAC), a leading charity helping people who are blind, vision impaired or have other disabilities, received the donation from employees of employment and training experts Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG).

PPDG operates a Give As You Earn (GAYE) scheme which each year donates thousands of pounds to charities and other good causes. Employees make a donation to the scheme each month. The money helped the college buy arrows, targets and five bows following a request from some of its students.

To celebrate the donation QAC invited six staff from PPDG to take part in a mini archery competition. The group from PPDG joined QAC Sport and Recreation learners. They were split into two teams each led by a sports tutor for a training session. Competitors were aiming to get the highest score or hit the most balloons.

Hugh Williams, Principal, said: “Archery was a recreation in which a number of learners were interested and we are grateful to PPDG for this donation. This has enabled the purchase of all the necessary equipment. Despite the cold and wet weather everyone enjoyed taking part in the competition and we are already talking about a rematch in the spring.”

QAC, a Specialist College based in Harborne, has up to 150 learners each year on residential and day programmes. The College offers qualification-based courses such as BTEC, entry level and vocational courses. A key aim is the development of independence and mobility for all learners.

Learner places are funded through local authorities but the charity relies on fundraising activities and donations to provide additional resources.

PPDG’s total donations to charities and good causes through its award winning payroll-giving scheme recently broke the £150,000 barrier. Around two thirds of employees are involved in payroll deductions that benefit others less fortunate in the community.