'No Wires' Club Fly Again

For the third year running, Christie Intruder Alarms rewarded sixteen hard working pupils from Riders Junior School in Leigh Park with a helicopter flight to mark their achievements throughout the school year.

The weather this summer has generally been very disappointing and the 15 July was no exception. It was overcast for much of the time with several heavy downpours.

Nor were there any excitements like last year when one group of children spotted a fire at the thicket in Havant. Having reported it to the Fire Brigade and were able to watch the fire engine rushing along the road to deal with it.

But nonetheless nothing dampened the children’s enthusiasm and they all thoroughly enjoyed their bird's eye view of Portsmouth. They saw their school – where Mr Kenny, their caretaker, waved large yellow flags to salute each fly-past– as well as taking in Portsmouth Football Club, the Spinnaker Tower and Portsmouth Harbour before returning to Goodwood.

This is the third year that Christie Intruder Alarms has sponsored these helicopter flights. Everybody is proud to be involved and even the children who aren't successful enter into the excitement by cheering and waving from their gardens.

This sponsorship is the result of a unique formal Partnership Agreement between Christie Intruder Alarms and Riders Junior School. It was signed in March 2005 in the presence of Havant's MP, David Willetts, the Mayor of Havant and other dignitaries and came about because the school wanted to incentivise the children.

"We wanted to encourage the children and acknowledge their hard work but didn't have any funds to spare for achievement awards," says John Dean, Rider's Head Teacher, "so we decided to seek help from the local business community.

"The School really does appreciate Christie Intruder Alarm's contribution. I believe the helicopter rides are an incredible incentive for pupils to work hard. Barrie Christie is a great role model for our children. I can think of no other junior schools in the country that offers such a fantastic opportunity for their pupils."

Barrie Christie, Christie Intruder Alarm's Chairman, says "We are delighted to be linked with Riders Junior School. I see it as a win-win situation. It is good for us as a local business champion to give help, advice and some financial commitment, while from the school's perspective our help will aid the sterling work John Dean, the staff the Governors and parents are doing to raise standards and achievements in Leigh Park's young people.

"I have special memories of Riders Junior School as it was the very first school where Christie Intruder Alarms installed monitored intruder and fire alarms* so when John Dean and the Chair of Governors, Andy Martin, approached me, I said a resounding yes."

When John Dean was appointed Head Teacher in 2001, Riders' SATS results were among the very worst in the whole of Hampshire. Under his inspired leadership and with the dedication of the whole team, especially the children, the results are now above the National Average.

The children are assessed throughout the year and judged not just by their academic achievement but by all round progress, including attendance, time keeping and behaviour. One boy and one girl from each class is chosen.

Christie Intruder Alarm's support has also been recognised by Hampshire County Council who presented the company with their Employer of the Year in Support of Education award in 2005.

*A monitored alarm is one that is linked via the telephone line or cellular network or both to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC).

An ARC is a permanently manned call centre whose staff are dedicated to monitoring security alarms and contacting the right Authority - i.e. the Police usually, or the Fire Brigade in the case of a fire - if there is an activation. An ARC is bound by strict legislation which ensures the highest standards of operation.

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