£1.4m disability centre opens in Newcastle thanks to Ponteland businessman

A £1.4m rebound therapy centre for disabled children and adults has opened in Newcastle.

After five years of fundraising, The Rob Armstrong Centre for Rebound Therapy is the new addition to Hadrian School in Benwell.

The school looks after some of the most severely disabled children in the North East, catering for pupils aged two to 11-years-old with a range of additional needs, including complex, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.

The new centre will provide pupils with the facilities needed to enhance their learning experience while helping to improve their fitness and communication skills.

Businessman and entrepreneur, Rob Armstrong from Ponteland, has worked his way up through the business industry after being raised in Newcastle’s West End.

Although Rob’s business interests now include LA taxis and MTrec recruitment, he has never left his West End roots and has dedicated himself to helping the school.

He started his association with Hadrian more than 15 years ago when he replaced computers that were stolen by thieves. Ever since, he has been a ‘driving force’ in fundraising both personally and through his many business connections.

The new centre houses six trampolines and related therapy resources to enable Rebound Therapy to take place six days a week for the benefit of pupils from Hadrian School and for those with additional needs of all ages in Newcastle and across the region.

The centre also contains a training suite and a music and dance studio.

Head teacher, Chris Rollings, commented: “Were it not for Rob, this project would have remained a distant dream. Rob has a generous spirit, a kind heart, a real sense of his roots and knows how lucky he is to have been given the life chances he has.

“He knows that our children are some of the most vulnerable children in the city and he wants to make a difference. We are delighted to acknowledge Rob’s massive contribution by naming the centre after him.”

Rob himself said: “These children are getting the very best care, support and education. I’m very proud to have been able to help.”

The project will allow the school to train teachers, physiotherapists, teaching and learning assistants, occupational therapists, sports coaches, care staff, special needs support staff to be Rebound Therapy coaches.

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