Six form students sitting pretty after Star Platforms donation

Access rental specialist Star Platforms has given sixth form students a lift by donating nearly-new office furniture to a school close to its HQ.

The move has provided 26 sets of desks, chairs, drawer sets and desk dividers for the sixth form study area at Harlington Upper School in Dunstable, Bedfordshire.

Star Platforms donated the redundant furniture rather than sell it as the company moved into its new HQ offices at Houghton Regis, near Dunstable, earlier in 2023.

Big difference

The furniture was disassembled, transported and assembled in two study rooms free of charge, with Star Platforms Property and Facilities Manager Rob Chandler on hand to oversee the works.

Harlington Upper School Headteacher Helen Harris said the donation had made a big difference as the furniture was more modern and encouraged more collaborative study than the furniture it replaced.

The school is storing other donated items for future use.

In a letter of thanks to Star Platforms Managing Director Richard Miller, she added: “It has really been transformative and the feedback from the students has been universally positive and grateful.”

Star Platforms is a national powered access hire and training specialist, offering a wider range of scissor lifts, cherry pickers and personnel masts through seven depots across the country.

Proactive support

It has always been proactive in its support for the communities it serves and good causes – including recently sponsoring a bowls event in Houghton Regis to raise money for prostate cancer research.

Rob Chandler said the company was more than happy to donate the furniture to Harlington Upper School after being approached by its Business Manager, Tina Keane.

He added: “Because of the rapid growth of Star Platforms, the furniture was relatively new and in good condition, so being able to assist the school was a good outcome.

“Some of our colleagues here at Star Platforms studied at the school and reuse is a key element of sustainability best practice that Star Platforms always seek to follow.

“It’s also good to think our donation will be supporting and shaping the future opportunities of young people, more of whom may come to work with us.”