Fawley (22 February 2007) -- The year started well for the physiotherapy department at The Cedar School, Nursling, Southampton, thanks to a donation of almost £4,000 from Esso and ExxonMobil Chemical at Fawley.

This has enabled the purchase of a specially adapted exercise bike for use by students who attend the school for physically disabled children aged three to 16 years.

The bicycle was presented by Carol Bega, of the refinery's Medicine and Occupational Health Department. She said: "I was very impressed with the facilities at the school and ExxonMobil is pleased to be able to supplement their specialist equipment in this way".

Corrina Bishop, Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist, said: "The bike has the facility to be pedalled with your arms or your legs, allowing it to be accessible to disabled children. It enables the students to take part in a healthy activity with all the benefits of exercise, which is particularly important to children with compromised muscle strength, or breathing and lung capacity. It has quickly become a favourite activity with the students."