New car helps drive SEAT program forward

The Spinal Injuries Association will today (MON, 27 OCT) test drive a Ford Falcon station wagon that will be delivered to its front door as part of MetroFord’s innovative Homedrive program. But the difference is – the charity that is dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with a spinal cord injury gets to keep the car!

MetroFord is a long-time supporter of the Association and has donated the new vehicle that will be used by Spinal Education Awareness Team (SEAT) presenter Wayne Leo as he travels to schools to promote road safety and injury prevention.

Wayne began volunteering as a presenter with the SEAT program 21 years ago and has since shared information and insight into life with a spinal cord injury with more than 225,000 children at schools around Queensland. Wayne has paraplegia following a motorbike accident in 1984.

Signage on the new vehicle will help promote MetroFord’s Homedrive program where test cars are brought to customers’ homes or places of work for greater convenience.

Metro Ford Dealer Principal Mark Stewart said that Metro Ford is a proud supporter of the work that the Spinal Injuries Association does in the community.

“We believe that it is a great opportunity to support the Spinal Education Awareness Team in getting out to schools to help the community better appreciate the need for increased road safety and to assist in long-term injury prevention,” he said.

Spinal Injuries Association CEO Mark Henley said MetroFord’s practical in-kind donation would further assist the SEAT program to reach out to children to share powerful safety messages.

“The Spinal Injuries Association is dedicated to preventing injuries; it’s part of our Constitution,” he said. “This car will be used by Wayne to travel to primary and secondary schools around south-east Queensland and beyond.

“Having a safe and reliable car is incredibly important, especially as Wayne often tours regional Queensland and can travel many thousands of kilometres.

“We would like to sincerely thank MetroFord for its outstanding support.”

Issued 27 October 2008.