17 Jun 2013
Year 12 student Darren Cook is one lucky young man after a mobility scooter donated to him by the NRMA has enabled him easy access to the Trade Training Centre agricultural plot for his studies.
The project started in Sydney and Newcastle approximately 10 years ago when NRMA Motoring and Assistance staff raised funds to purchase the mobility scooters for Children's Hospitals in Sydney and Newcastle. Mr Jace Wild the Newcastle NRMA Regional Business Manager for Motoring Assistance is the force behind this project in the Hunter.
NRMA Newcastle Patrols maintained the NRMA mobility scooter donated to the John Hunter Children's Hospital to assist the Occupational Therapy Department children with mobility issues. The scooter originally cost approximately $8000.
The scooter was returned to the NRMA recently for a check over and staff at NRMA Roadservice and NRMA MotorServe Kotara serviced the scooter, fitted new tyres and replaced the aging batteries thus bringing it back to tip top condition free of charge and presented the scooter back to the John Hunter Children's hospital.
Darren will be using the scooter for his eight lessons a fortnight giving him the freedom that he's never had before to move around the farm. He will be able to access all the places on the farm much easier now and can help with the sheep, with the fences, and go into the orchard and help, which he couldn't do before.
"I would like to thank the NRMA for giving me this fantastic opportunity" Darren said
Pictured Darren on his new scooter with Mr Wild from the NRMA, Mr Griffin and Ms Walker
.