COLOGNE, Germany – When Ford Philanthropy invited colleagues to support local charities focused on assisting those with mobility needs as part of Vibrant Volunteer Week in May, colleagues across Europe did the company proud.
More than 160 volunteers completed over 1,800 volunteer hours and $35,000 was provided in grant funding to support charitable projects in France, Germany, Romania, Spain and the UK.
This year’s Vibrant Volunteer Week also coincided with Global Road Safety week, and employees were encouraged to invest their skills and time on projects promoting safe, sustainable mobility solutions, helping to deliver vital services and resources to those in need. Activities included:
- Upcycling and repairing bikes that would otherwise go to landfill and distributing to those in need including refugees.
- Running bike maintenance workshops and planning safe cycle routes to schools.
Teaching children about road safety and about the importance of wearing a seat belt and how to use child seats.
- Road safety training for students with the support of the Craiova police department.
Running a masterclass on electrification to young people between 16-25 in a situation of social exclusion which included being trained on how to repair an electric scooter and prepare for your license.
- Procuring, delivering and installing wheelchairs and related mobility aid devices for those with disabilities in elderly care homes in Craiova.
- Building bicycle shelters.
- Planning bike routes to promote sustainable and safe mobility.
- Supporting those with functional diversity raising awareness of the disability and promoting inclusion and use of adapted mobility options.
- Helping children with cancer and reduced mobility.
Debbie Chennells, Senior Manager, Ford Philanthropy Europe said: “I want to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers and charities who kindly worked together to deliver mobility solutions to connect people with the resources and opportunities they need to move forward.”