Sally Brockway
24 February, 2025
News

Gatwick firm donates state-of-the-art classroom furniture to Indian school

Students from the fishing village of Kovalam, in Tamil Nadu, India have been given state-of-the-art classroom furniture courtesy of Gatwick based FF&E consultancy Pinnacle as part of their collaboration with the Venkat Trust (The Venkatraman Memorial Trust). The charity ensures that children in the area can access an excellent education from kindergarten to university.

Students sponsored by Pinnacle - from left to right at the back, Vishwa (15) and Yokeshwaran (13) and in the front row, Velleena (12), Gunasri (13), Rajalaksmi (13), and Nethra.

The furniture, which was excess stock, would ordinarily be written off, but the Venkat Trust, which has enjoyed a partnership with Pinnacle since 2023, put it to good use. The items arrived in time for a new influx of students.

Pinnacle, whose HQ is situated at Manor Royal,  sponsors a group of students via the Venkat Trusts and CEO Darryl Stanley says: “For us, this isn’t just about sponsorship, it’s about empowerment, education, and the promise of a brighter future for young people growing up in a Kovalam where until 2004 when the Venkat Trust was set up, there was no free schooling.”

Pinnacle founder Dave Stanley helps load the furniture
Pinnacle founder Dave Stanley helps load the furniture Credit: Pinnacle

 

Being able to go to school in a village where traditionally, children were destined for a life of poorly paid jobs, has enabled hundreds of young people to get degrees and go on to enjoy fulfilling careers. 

 

The furniture ready for a long journey
The furniture ready for a long journey Credit: Pinnacle

UK sponsorship coordinator Emma Holder recently returned from a trip to meet the students sponsored by Pinnacle who posed for a photo. 

She says: “It’s a joy to see our sponsored children growing up. They’re becoming more confident. The Higher Secondary School goes from strength to strength with two new science labs. The Tamil Nadu government is not keen on providing extra teachers, so we will be fundraising to provide them.”