Easi-Drive Supports Wheely Good Local Cause

Wythenshawe-based accident management company, Easi-Drive has committed to donating funds up to £15,000 over the course of the next three years to local community group, Wythenshawe Wheelers.

The company, based on Sharston Industrial Estate, has chosen the club as a beneficiary of its community giving programme, WheelsforGood.

It has pledged to purchase key equipment and improve the general facilities at the South Manchester club, which focuses on offering cycling to people with a disability.

WheelsforGood was the brainchild of managing director, Simon Bellamy and looks to reward charities and good causes in the areas in which the business operates.

To mark the launch of the partnership, 13 workers from Easi-Drive swapped their day jobs for a 50-mile bike ride from Manchester to Chester recently, pedalling up an impressive £1,200 in sponsorship money!

The funds raised will be used to purchase a children’s quad bike. In addition Easi-Drive has just purchased a KMX Tornado bike for the club. Similar to a BMX model, the KMX is designed for thrill seekers.

Wythenshawe Wheelers owns over 70 specially adapted bikes and runs four sessions a week from its facility in South Manchester. Members travel from as far a-field as Chester, Crewe and Bury to the club at Wythenshawe Park.

On the partnership, Sue Blaylock, founder of Wythenshawe Wheelers said: “We are so grateful to Easi-Drive for its commitment – we are in desperate need of new equipment including safety gear such as helmets and are keen to improve our basic facilities such as bathrooms. Its support will transform the whole experience for our members. I would like to extend personal thanks to the group of 13 who took part in the gruelling bike ride recently.”

Simon Bellamy from Easi-Drive added: “This is such a fantastic cause for us to be associated with and we are delighted to have joined forces with Sue and her team of volunteers. The service it provides is truly inspiring and really makes a difference to people’s lives – we have seen it first hand.

He continued: “The employees are really getting behind this cause and there are a number of fundraising activities planned over the next 6 months including a walk up Kinder Scout in the Peak District.”

Easi-Drive encourages applications for funding from charities and community groups across the region. If you are interested in applying, please visit the website at http://www.wheelsforgood.com/  for more information or to submit an application.

Easi-Drive funds school build in Africa

EasiDrive’s community investment project WheelsforGood has funded the build of a much needed senior school in Kenya.

Children between the ages of 12 and 16 will travel up to 30 kilometres to the school which has been built in the Lenkisem region. The facility officially opened its doors a couple of weeks ago and has already started teaching year 1 students.

The build houses two classrooms and a teacher’s room. Positioned next to the school is a catholic mission with a number of dormitories, where pupils will be able to board – this facility is vital as children in the area travel such huge distances to get to school.

Linda and Rod Bellamy of Easi-Drive are due to travel to Kenya in October of this year for the official opening ceremony of the school.

Commenting Linda said: “This really has been the most fantastic project to be involved in – a complete eye opener. We have watched the school being built over the last 18 months. With every visit we never fail to be impressed by the children’s and volunteers’ spirit.

She continued: “We are very much looking forward to the trip later in the year to join the locals to celebrate the official opening.