Zambian school receive bicycles from Horsham

The team, led by Willmott Dixon, have undertaken the 100 mile challenge in a bid to raise money which will now be used to donate bicycles to Kamalamba School. The bicycles will be utilised by staff and pupils who often have to walk over two hours to reach school each day.

The group included members of the Willmott Dixon site team working on the construction of Millais School, sub-contractors also working on the project and deputy head, Mike Sutton.

All completed the cycle, which took in the majority of the London 2012 Olympic road race route through Surrey and south west London.

Millais School has previous links with Kamalamba School, having previously donated a bike to one of the school’s teachers. Members of the staffing team also visited the school and assisted in the building of it in 2010. The school now schools more than 94 children.

Willmott Dixon’s construction manager for the project, Matt Dubber, explains the motivations of the team: “We were made aware of the link between Millais School and Kamalamba School and wanted to do something that would bring real benefit to pupils and staff.

“The cycling challenge seemed an apt way of raising money and awareness so that we can purchase the bikes for use by the school.

“As a company, we are committed to benefitting the communities in which we work and those that they have links with. All too often we take for granted how privileged we are and this challenge has really hit home how simple fundraising activities can transform other people’s lives.

“We are delighted to have raised such a significant sum of money and we look forward to the bikes being delivered to the school later this year.”

Willmott Dixon commenced work in the construction of the new Millais School in October 2013. The £13.5 million building project is currently on track and the second phase of the works is due for completion during October this year.

The three-storey structure will house specialist facilities for art, music and technology and new suites for maths and modern languages.

Work is currently in the second of four phases and the team are working toward ultimate completion in November 2015.

Members of the team also included staff from Willmott Dixon’s sub-contractors John Peck Construction and Glidefield Building Services alongside Millais School deputy head, Mike Sutton.

Willmott Dixon Construction delivers award-winning projects across the education, health, leisure, workplace and retail sectors.

The company works on public and private sector developments on behalf of national Government frameworks, local authorities and private organisations.

Willmott Dixon Group is one of the UK’s largest privately-owned construction, regeneration and support services companies.

With 160 years of experience, the company provides services within the built environment to Government, registered social landlords, local authorities and private sector clients throughout the UK.

Report and pictures contributed by Nicola Jenkins on behalf of Willmott Dixon Construction