Boost for car seat organisation

LOCAL non-profit organisation Wheel Well received an international boost after receiving funds to further its work in keeping children safe on the roads.

Ford South Africa teamed with #CarseatFullstop in supporting Wheel Well as one of the recipients of the annual Ford Global Caring month.

The global car giant donated $5 000 (R7 4464.80), which the organisation used to buy booster seats for parents who cannot afford them.

Wheel Well founder Peggie Mars said: “We bought additional booster seats and donated them to parents who need them because we find this is the area of the least compliance.”

Mars emphasised the importance of booster and car seats, adding that South African roads were among the most dangerous in the world.

She said booster seats are for children aged 4-10 and urged parents to use them no matter how short the drive. “Most crashes happen within 10km of driving and (children’s) bodies are more vulnerable than ours. The seats are designed to keep them from hitting the inside of the car or being thrown out of the car in a crash. It is vital as about five children die on our roads every day. Putting them in seats will change that.”

More than 10 000 Ford employees in more than 40 countries signed up to be part of giving back .

Jim Vella, the president of the Ford Motor Company Fund, said Ford wanted to make a better world for everyone it would be assisting. “Ford and its employees know there is still much more work to do and we are committed to moving forward and improving the quality of life for people in our communities, not just for one month or one year, but in sustainable ways over the long haul.”