Kids can now travel in style

Bobbi Sands

CHRISTMAS has come early for a group of disabled children at Cheshire Homes, Cleary Park, when their transportation prayers were answered.
Since 2007 a programme called Miracle Kids has helped disabled children from the Northern Areas to be integrated into schools throughout the city and has seen many of them receive the love, attention and stimulation needed to help them thrive.
The children who were being ferried in a small Corsa Lite now have a brand new seven-seater Caddy sponsored by the Rotary club of PE West and Tavcor.
“This is going to be a great help,” said Genevieve Hendricks who initiated the Miracle Kids programme in 2007.
“I collect all the children in the morning and drop them off after their day here or at school. Having a larger vehicle is going to make a huge difference.
“It will also make outings easier to plan.”
Hendricks said she started the programme after meeting a young child who was being cared for by his grandparents but who was spending his days in a 25 litre paint tin.
“He was severely disabled and there is a lack of knowledge in terms of caring for children with disabilities.”
She started with one child and within a week had five and by the end of the month had 29 children with varying disabilities to care for.
“I always say this programme started in Heaven as there are miracles happening on a daily basis.
“There are children here who can now talk after 10 years of not talking and even a child who has never walked, took his first steps after 14 years,” said Hendricks who is a qualified psychologist and acts as the children’s driver, teacher and care giver.
Coordinator for Cheshire Homes Eastern Province, Hilary Bolton, said it was not easy to raise the funds but the Caddy has been worth the wait.
“A gift like this is absolutely amazing,” said Bolton when she received the vehicle on Tuesday.
‘We are grateful to all the sponsors.
“This will help us transport the children who are from disadvantaged backgrounds to attend mainstream schools.
“We receive no government funding and it is always a struggle to raise funds but with Rotary and Tavcor’s help this vehicle has become a reality.”
Angela Newton from Rotary PE West said the funds were raised through the matching grant programme with Rotaries around the world.
“We have various relationships with other Rotaries around the world and the money we raised was then matched by the Rotary Foundation.
“It is a real partnership to raise the money needed,” said Newton.
Megan Stow from Tavcor said the company sells the vehicle at a loss to make up the shortfall for the vehicle.
She said the company’s employee representative council raised the money for the signage on the vehicle and once the warranty of the vehicle is over they will again raise the money to ensure any maintenance that needs doing will be covered.
And it is now smiles all around for the Miracle Kids who have much more space to contend with while making their way to school.