Learner drivers in Auckland’s remote north-west will be able to continue with their free lessons after a local charity was gifted a replacement for their ageing car.
Helensville’s Outwest Youth runs several youth programmes in the region, including free driving lessons for those who need them. But they recently hit a speedbump, making the call to retire their 14-year-old Mazda Demio because it was on its “last legs”.
Limited by funding for a replacement, the organisation set up a Givealittle, hoping the community could pitch in and help.
Learner drivers in Auckland’s remote northwest will be able to continue with their free lessons after a local charity was gifted a replacement for their ageing car. (Source: Seven Sharp)
As donations flooded in, 1News published a story, which was when it caught the attention of Mazda.
Product and communications manager for Mazda New Zealand Paul Sherley said the company saw the story and thought: “Look, these guys already have a Mazda, they’re part of the Mazda family, they’re in need, what can we do to help?”
They donated a Mazda MX30, a five-seater EV, to be used for advanced lessons and the trust’s day-to-day activities. Outwest also hit their fundraising goal, meaning they could buy a new car to be fitted with dual controls, which Mazda would also help with.
“This helps them do what they need to do in a much more sustainable fashion than what they need to do now,” Sherley said.
‘Overwhelmed’
Outwest Youth manager Naomi Bartley said the organisation was “overwhelmed” with the level of support they had received from both the community and Mazda.
“I think the thing that has really impacted me is the support we’ve felt from obviously Mazda, from 1News picking it up, but also from our local community,” she said.
“We’ve been doing this for 16 years here. We’re just a humble little place.”
She said the new car would allow Outwest to double its capacity for driving lessons – essentially getting two new vehicles for the price of one.
“Anybody in the community that are facing the obstacles and barriers to getting their licence, we’re going to be able to say, ‘Yeah, sure, we can. We can help out.”
Instructor Silas Bartley said the new cars would open doors to even more people in the community.
“There are actually two driving instructors here, so it’ll just mean there’ll be more opportunity for lessons, just to reach out as much as we can and help as many people as we can.”
‘It takes a village’
The new car was safely delivered to Outwest, and the hunt for a vehicle that can be converted into one with dual-control continues.
For Naomi, the support reinforced why she continues to do her work.
“We love to see young people thrive. We love to be able to build a sense of belonging and value and to give opportunities for young people to experience success, or to try new things, or to have the courage to explore something different.
“The little phrase ‘it takes a village to raise a young person’, well, we truly believe in that. For youth, some of them have not really had much of a village experience prior, or a positive village experience prior.
“To be able to wrap around a young person and say ‘hey, you are valuable, we think you’re amazing, and we want to be able to bring you to a place or support you to discover your best self’.”
