More Western Australian children with disabilities and their families are being assisted thanks to the State Government's support of the Wheels for Hope program, a charity that works to improve the mobility of these families.
From this year the program, an initiative of the WA Motor Industry Foundation, will receive $400,000 per annum from the Government to help boost Wheels for Hope's capacity to provide vehicles to people who need this kind of assistance. The funds will be used to support the program, including buying and maintaining 10 vehicles each year for four years.
Wheels for Hope currently has a fleet of 32 vehicles which it lends to families and provides all maintenance, servicing and insurance. The only cost to families is fuel.
Premier Colin Barnett and Disability Services Minister Helen Morton today handed the keys to the 31st and 32nd families to receive a Wheels for Hope vehicle.
"Wheels for Hope is having a major impact on the lives of families which may otherwise struggle to take their child or children to much needed medical and therapy appointments," Mr Barnett said.
"I congratulate Wheels for Hope and the motor vehicle industry representatives who support the foundation for their work to make this happen."
Disability Services Minister Helen Morton said the vehicles would give people with disability and their families the independence to do essential every day things like shopping, health appointments and going to school, which most of us don't think twice about.
"By getting out and about, it enables the recipients to contribute to society and be included in our community which will make such a difference to all of us," Mrs Morton said.
Fact File
Since 2008, 30 families have received vehicles under the program
Today's presentation takes the total to 32
More information about the program can be found at http://www.wheelsforhope.org.au
Premier's office - 6552 5000
Disability Services Minister's office - 6552 6900
