TV Driving Ace returns to youth project to launch appeal
Former National Ladies Rally Champion and TV presenter, Penny Mallory, returned to the Barnardo’s run Black Country Wheels Project this month to present end of year awards to 25 young people aged 13-18 years and launch an urgent appeal on their behalf.
The Black Country Wheels Project, based on the Gainsborough Trading Estate, Stourbridge, provides vocational and practical mechanical skills for young people living in Dudley who are excluded or struggling in mainstream education. They also help young people to improve their educational and life skills such as reading, writing, health and safety and cooking, as well as running a mentoring scheme where the older ones ‘supervise’ younger students coming through.
It is just over a year since Penny visited the project to find out more about the work of Barnardo’s and she was so impressed with what she learnt on that first visit, that she agreed to formerly present academic and achievement awards this year and launch their public appeal for more car donations.
Penny said:
I was a tear away when I was younger and left home when I was 14 years old. I made one bad decision after the next and ended up in hostels for homeless young people. You (the young people) have made the right decision by getting involved and working so hard at Wheels. This project struck a chord for me from the start. I was blown away the first time I visited and feel honoured to be invited back tonight. It’s an incredible project which since starting up 11 years ago has benefitted thousands of young people by offering help, support, encouragement, advice and training that they so desperately lack in other areas of their lives.
Black Country Wheels Project is run by Barnardo’s Children’s Charity with funding and support from a variety of local agencies including Connexions, local colleges, schools, the police and voluntary groups such as the Rotary Club.
Talking about the Wheels appeal Penny said:
To be able to offer the young people a broad range of mechanical skills and keep it interesting Wheels desperately need more donated cars, motorcycles and parts. They can’t afford to buy cars and they only need old or scrap cars or motorcycles so I’d urge anyone thinking about getting rid of their old car or maybe people who have inherited an old car that they don’t want or need, to contact Wheels. It couldn’t go to a better, more practical cause.
For more information about The Black Country Wheels Project or details of how to donate a car, motorcycle or parts please call Ian Hinksman on 01384 444 561.