Impressionist Jon Culshaw presented a special school with a bright-pink minibus last week to allow pupils to venture outside the classroom safely.

The 46-year-old comedian handed over the keys to the custom-made Sunshine Coach to the headteacher of Swiss Cottage Research and Development Centre, Kay Bedford, last Wednesday.

The bus was provided by children’s charity Variety and The Bernice Cowen Charitable Trust, set up in memory of an Edgware teacher who died of cancer aged 57.

Mr Culshaw said: “I’m incredibly honoured to present this Sunshine Coach to the remarkable pupils of Swiss Cottage. It’s a pleasure to see how a donation of this kind can make such a difference.

“The work of Variety and the kindness of The Bernice Cowen Charitable Trust has ensured that these children can continue to enjoy regular extra-curricular activities.”

The coach will be used every day by the Avenue Road school to take its pupils on trips, to after-school activities and to holiday clubs.

The school has about 240 pupils aged between two and 19, who all have a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities.

Ms Bedford, who was made an OBE in 2012, said: “We are truly thankful for the donation of the specialised Sunshine Coach from Variety and the Trust. It means a great deal to the children.

“The coach will enable them to live an enriched life, with opportunities to join in and experience activities which were previously inaccessible.”