From Technical Aid for the Disabled, NSW:Former Australian Test Cricketer Adam Gilchrist has signed on to support the FREEDOM WHEELS Modified Bike Service for kids with disabilities, for another two years.
It was Amway, who sponsor the program through their One by One Campaign, who made him aware of FREEDOM WHEELS, when they put out a challenge to Adam for the 2009 Indian Premier League. His task was to hit 25 sixes and Amway would contribute funding for these modified bikes. Not one to reject a challenge, Adam went beyond his target and hit 29 sixes, up from 19 sixes during the previous season.
After seeing the modified bikes in action and the smiles on the children’s faces, Adam was more than happy to continue supporting the service.
“As a father of 3 kids, I know how important it is and the joy a bike means to a child. On behalf of Amway, it is an honour to be a part of this program,” Adam said.
The FREEDOM WHEELS® Modified Bike Service customises standard pushbikes to give a new kind of independence to children with disabilities by allowing them to ride a bicycle for the first time. Since the program began, almost 400 bikes have been delivered throughout the country.
FREEDOM WHEELS is a joint undertaking between the charity, TADNSW (Technical Aid to the Disabled) and principal corporate sponsor Amway of Australia, whose support has allowed TADNSW to take the program regionally and now interstate.
“We have been modifying bikes for many years now and the initiative brings so much joy to hundreds of kids with disabilities by allowing them to ride a bike for the first time. We want to show the difference these bikes make to these kids and to their families. Suddenly, the whole family can go for a bike ride, which is often a huge achievement,” TADNSW CEO Joy Barrett said.
Prior to the sponsorship support provided by Amway’s One by One Foundation, volunteers would spend between 30 and 50 hours modifying just one bicycle. This has now been reduced to as little as three hours with the introduction of pre-made components.
TADNSW has been providing services to clients with disabilities for over 30 years and FREEDOM WHEELS is just one of the many services they provide to people with disabilities.TADNSW is running bike assessment clinics all the time. Parents interested in registering their child for a bike clinic or would like more information about the FREEDOM WHEELS program please contact TADNSW on 1300 663 243 or (02) 9912 3400. Alternatively, visit our website www.tadnsw.org.au
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