Easi-Drive's Community Giving Campaign

Leading accident management specialist, Easi-Drive, have pledged their support to fund 20 young drivers wanting to improve their skills on the road as part of their community giving campaign WheelsForGood.

The company has linked up with the IAM & Stockport Advanced Motorists to invite applications for fully funded places on the IAM ‘Skill For Life’ driving course, which covers all types of road situations including motorway driving and helping students to develop driver skills in anticipating and dealing with a potential accident situation.

Research by the road safety charity has shown that young drivers aged between 17 and 26, were the most ‘at risk’ group behind the wheel, but financial constraints on them meant that there was a poor sign up rate for their ‘Skill for life’ courses.

So when charity bosses saw the launch of Easi-Drive’s WheelForGood campaign – a £60,000 bursary fund created by co-founder Simon Bellamy to give something back to the community in which the business operates - in the local press, they applied for funding.

Simon Bellamy said: “We are keen to promote road safety and good driving practice, so this was an ideal opportunity to help young people’s skills behind the wheel in the town where I was born and grew up. And as wheels are at the heart of what we do, it seems fitting that our corporate giving strategy should be based around this theme.”

Perry Freeman, Chairman of Stockport Advanced Motorists, said: “We are really pleased of the support Simon and the money he is donating on behalf of Easi-Drive to put 20 young drivers through the course, especially as his business centres on cars and driving.

“The course gives younger drivers a valuable insight into driving at a much higher skill level. Advanced Driving gives the driver a great deal of extra knowledge about how to deal with difficult road situations.

“For example, maybe, you’ve even been driving for a little while, but do you know all the hidden hazards on the motorway? Would you know how to deal with a ‘tailgater’ in a safe and efficient manner so as not to be pushed into making an unsafe manoeuvre? How would you react after the incident?”

Places on the course, which normally costs £139 each, are now available on a first come first served basis.

In addition, after passing the IAM Skill for life course, most insurance companies will offer young drivers upto 25 per cent off their insurance.

Applicants must be aged between 17 and 26 and hold a full UK driving licence, have had a minimum of three months driving experience and have regular access to a car during the week and at weekends. The car must be taxed, MoTd and insured and the driver must have a license appropriate to that class of vehicle.

Courses are run from the Old Rectory in Stockport (Home of Stockport Advanced Motorists) for approximately six sessions. Practical on the road sessions are done in the students own car with a qualified ‘Observer’ (Driving Coach).

Anyone wishing to apply for a place on the course should apply in writing to info@stockportadvancedmotorists.org.uk including their name, age, address, and why they want to do the course.

Local Bmx Club Benefits For ‘Wheely’ Generous Donation

Royston-based BMX club, the Royston Rockets is celebrating this week after receiving much needed funding from national accident management firm Easi-Drive.

With a member base of over 70, the club which was established over 25 years ago, has received a £1,000 donation from Easi-Drive’s community funding bursary scheme for improvements to its race track.

Commenting on the donation, Paul Blanche a BMX enthusiast and committee member said; “We are thrilled with the funding - it will go a long way and help the club make significant improvements to the circuit, which are much needed.”

Paul, a Bodyshop Manager at Barkway Service Station and Crash Repair Centre by day, applied for funding on behalf of Royston Rockets, he added: “We do a lot of work with Easi-Drive and we heard about its community giving project - WheelsForGood - I decided to submit a request on behalf of the racing club.”

Andrew Warrender, from Easi-Drive’s local depot in Hitchin, visited the track on Tuesday to present the funds and see first hand where the money would be spent: “It’s great to be able to help out such a worthy community project. The club provides an excellent facility for both BMX die-hards and those that just want to pop down, jump on a bike and try it out for the first time,” he said.

“I’ve been very impressed with the quality of the riding I have seen tonight - some of the jumps that have been displayed have been fantastic.”

For further information on the club visit http://www.roystonrockets.co.uk/

Easi-Drive Gets Its Community Giving Programme On The Road

Manchester-based Easi-Drive has launched a national community giving programme, WheelsForGood.

Brainchild of founder and managing director Simon Bellamy, the £60,000 bursary fund has been created to give something back to the community in which the business operates.

Bellamy said: “As wheels are at the heart of what we do, it seems fitting that our corporate giving strategy should be based around this theme. This isn’t just about making monetary donations, we will also be offering our time to projects that will benefit.”

The launch of the programme was marked with a donation of £1,000 to a BMX club, the Royston Rockets. Bellamy added: “We received an application through a Bodyshop in the south for funding for the club for improvements to its racing track.

“The club is professionally run and offers local kids the opportunity to channel their energy into something positive - we were delighted to help out.”

Bellamy predicts that the fund will help all sorts of projects from helping kids get mobile, restoration of vehicles to supporting young mechanics through apprenticeship programmes.

He added: “As one of the leading suppliers of like for like replacement vehicles we have instant access to a diverse range of vehicles including 12-seater coaches, we know already from conversations with people that so many charities and local projects are desperate for assistance with transport. We will endeavour to help as many projects as we can over the next 12 months.”