Musketeer Kids Tricycles
Having recently taken delivery of a number of Musketeer Kids Tricycles, the question was, what do we do with them? Many of our amazing local charities were keen to let us know why we should donate a trike to their charity.
Our recipients
Rainbows Hospice
First to get in touch was Rainbows Hospice, the East Midlands’ only hospice for children and young people, who provide vital care and support to families impacted by life-limiting conditions.
Their response read:
Remember learning to ride a bike? Like me, you probably started with stabilisers, maybe ended up with your Dad holding the saddle, and then he wasn’t, and maybe you didn’t even notice that suddenly you were doing it all by yourself. For some children that moment will never be part of their lives, their sense of balance compromised by a life-limiting condition. But they are still children and they still want to have fun. This special trike would be an amazing addition for Rainbows Hospice and make a real difference to the children who’d have great fun riding it. How could we refuse?
Pictured opposite is Hayley from Rainbows collecting their well deserved Trike.
Derbyshire Blood Bikes
Another fantastic charity to receive one of our fabulous trikes was Derbyshire Blood Bikes who provide a free medical courier service for local NHS hospitals. Their aim is to support the NHS and save them money by transporting urgent and important blood, samples, medication or equipment, free of charge to wherever it needs to go.
It was great to see one of our trikes using their branding – and what a good job they did too! They will soon auction the trike in the hope that it will raise much needed and valuable funds for their charity. Good luck and keep up the good work!
Mark Vallis, Operations Manager, Derbyshire Blood Bikes is pictured with Beccy from our Accounts team and a member of our Charity Working Group.
St James Centre Derby
The St James Centre, Derby, is a lively community organisation whose aim is to serve the community and beyond. Their well-qualified, highly motivated team of staff and volunteers enjoy working with people from different backgrounds and with different needs and interests, helping them live life to the max!
Their response read:
“Fun-abil8y would love to give Thomas the Trike a new home at our Hive Garden in inner city Derby. Thomas would have a lovely space to pedal round and lots of new playmates to meet! Thomas could say hello to Susan who loves to chat or Hussain who needs to strengthen his legs as they do not always work too well. Thomas would have lots of adventures with Peter who loves pirates or Saiqa who likes to play trains. He would become part of our Fun-abil8y Family with our 140 disabled children, their parents and staff!“
How could we give Thomas the Trike to anyone else!
Pictured opposite is Janie and support worker Henna from the St James Centre, alongside Kev from our Facilities & Environment Department and a Trustee of the Charitable Trust.
When you wish upon a Star
When You Wish Upon a Star was another hugely deserving recipient whose aim is to grant the wishes of children between the ages of 4 to 17 living with life threatening illnesses. Whatever the wish, wherever possible, they aim to make that wish come true. What an amazing charity!
Their response read:
Currently, with 120 Wishes from children waiting to be granted, many have been put on hold due to travel restrictions. In 2020, the charity saw a shortfall in income of £500k, but are determined to grant the Wishes and are working hard to raise the funds needed to do this. If we won the Musketeer Special Need Kid’s Trike, this would put a smile on a child’s face who has been having a very difficult time especially during COVID-19.
Alexa, Regional Fundraiser, is pictured with Gary Shrimpton from our Paint Shop, but also a Trustee of the Toyota Manufacturing UK Charitable Trust.
Derby Kids' Camp
Derby Kids’ Camp is about giving deserving children a wonderful break in the countryside. During their week-long stay they participate in multiple activities on camp, which requires equipment to create fun and engaging activities.
The Musketeer Trike would be a perfect piece of equipment to add to our activities list; the Trike can be used with an obstacle course where children pedal around or simply enjoy the freedom of being on wheels. A lot of the children who attend Derby Kids’ Camp have never ridden a bike, therefore the support of the wide wheelbase will help children to balance.
Pictured opposite is Rachel, Derby Kids’ Camp Fundraising Officer, alongside Sarah who works as part of our QA Team and is also a member of our Charitable Trust Working Group, helping to raise much needed, valuable funds to support local charities.
Tegan's Butterfiles
Based in Derby, Tegan’s Butterflies in Paradise provide vital support for families who have preschool children with special needs. Offering a safe, friendly environment, families are able to meet, chat, make friends and support one another. Their lending library offers books, equipment, support and practical advice.
Their response read:
“Children attending our sessions could enjoy a 'fun outdoor' activity, whilst strengthening core muscles, as many have some kind of muscle weakness. When not in use for group sessions, the trike would be added to our "equipment library“, enabling families to see if it would be suitable prior to going to the expense of purchasing. We have been working with Derby City Parent Carers Together, allowing access to our sensory toys. I see this continuing, allowing more children access to the trike”.
Pictured is Rachel, Chairman of the Trustees with Tommy and Chris from our External Affairs team.
me&dee
Providing vital work in our local communities are me&dee, an amazing charity with a simple mission, to ensure families going through difficult and uncertain times are gifted with memories they can treasure. Families and children facing life-changing and limiting circumstances can find the space to celebrate the precious time they have together.
Their response read:
What a fantastic opportunity for us to put a smile on the face of one of the children we support through our charity, where we create smiles and memories for families who are facing a short and uncertain future together. Our very special families, some who have sadly lost loved ones over the last year, are easing out of the pandemic lock down and venturing out more, albeit with trepidation. With bikes now too small and without funds to replace them, for children effected by cancer and with balance difficulties, this would be a treasure indeed.
We are proud to support me&dee.
Pictured is Maria Hanson, MBE, CEO/Founder,me&dee, alongside Sarah, a member of our Charitable Trust Working Group.
