Maroochy students can receive free safety presentations

Thanks to funding from the Sunshine Coast Regional Council’s Community Wellbeing Program, around 5,000 Maroochy primary and secondary school students can now benefit from free safety presentations on how to prevent a spinal cord injury. The Spinal Education Awareness Team (SEAT), a service of the Spinal Injuries Association, is delivered by 14 volunteer presenters who all use a wheelchair and have paraplegia or quadriplegia.

“We are delighted to secure funding from the Community Wellbeing Program and would like to thank the Sunshine Coast Regional Council for supporting SEAT,” said Spinal Injuries Association CEO Mark Henley.

“Children and young adults tend to act before they think and don’t realise just how easy it is to sustain a permanent spinal cord injury.

“This funding will allow Maroochy students to view a SEAT presentation free of charge.

“We encourage all Maroochy schools to book in the near future – we are confident they will be impressed by our program and our presenters.”

Approximately 90 Queenslanders incur a spinal cord injury every year with the majority being males aged between 15 and 30 years of age.

To book a free SEAT presentation at a Maroochy school, please visit www.spinal.com.au or phone 1800 810 513.

Issued 15 July 2008.