The ‘hand-out’ phase of the Car Seats for Kids campaign gets underway

The hand-out phase of the 94.7 Highveld Stereo and Imperial I-Pledge’s Car Seats for Kids campaign began at the Colin Mann Primary School, in Lambton, on Wednesday morning.

To tie in with the Car Seats for Kids campaign, the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department hosted a mock roadblock just outside the school’s gates.

With hundreds of motor vehicle fatalities every month, the importance of strapping your child into a car seat is a stark and harsh reality.

All drivers who did not have children strapped into a car seat were pulled over by the EMPD officers, who took the opportunity to explain the importance of using car seats and seatbelts for children.

Peggy Mars, from non-profit organisation Wheel Well, was also on hand to advise and educate the drivers on the importance of child safety and issues surrounding it.

The 94.7 Altech Netstar Ground Patrol team then fitted and demonstrated how the car seats work, before handing out seats that have been collected over the duration of the campaign to those in need.

In the spirit of Lead SA, during October’s National Transport Month, 94.7 Highveld Stereo and Imperial I-Pledge urged road-user to heed the call to donate their used car seats, in the interests of giving a child the gift of safety.

Broadcasting live from the Colin Mann Primary School, in Lambton, the Breakfast Xpress expressed their sincere gratitude to all listeners and the corporates who have made donations.

“Currently in its second year, this campaign has made a difference in the lives of so many,” said Darren Simpson, host of the Breakfast Xpress.

“We set a target of 1 500 car seats at the onset, and I am so proud to announce that we have far surpassed that number.

“Thanks to all the selfless individuals and companies who have chosen to do their part.”

Niki Cronje, group marketing manager at Imperial, added that it was heartwarming to see the parents receiving car seats and getting advice on the importance of strapping in their children.

“We urge all road-users to continue to ensure that their children are strapped in, not just during Transport Month, but whenever they are on the road,” he added.

The awareness campaign will continue to run during last week of October. All collected car seats will be re-upholstered, safety checked and cleaned before distribution.

For more details, visit www.highveld.co.za.