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09 February 2010
Children with autism can now peddle on brand new push bikes
built by staff from one of the world’s leading engineering,
architecture and consultancy firms, GHD.
As part of a 3-day graduate induction program, 16 new starters
from GHD took part in a team building challenge held at Sydney’s
Royal Botanic Gardens on Tuesday, 9 February, which brought joy to
four young boys who are supported by Northcott Disability
Services.
Colby Matthews is living with high functioning autism and was a
recipient of one of the bikes.
Colby’s mother, Bronwyn Cobcroft was very thankful to GHD and
Northcott as the bike will be a welcome early birthday present for
Colby, who turns six on 22 February.
“As a sole parent trying to meet the therapy needs of my son,
there is not a lot of money left for me to be able to surprise him
with a birthday present,” Ms. Cobcroft said.
“The bike will bring great joy to Colby and to me, to see him so
happy.”
GHD has an established relationship with Northcott and organised
the assembled bikes as a team building and community engagement
exercise for the new graduates.
“After the team building challenge was finished the clients of
Northcott Disability Services joined us in the Botanic Gardens,
surprising all the staff that put the bikes together,” said David
Kinniburgh, Sydney Operating Centre Manager, GHD.
“One of the objectives on the day is to help our new graduates
to understand the importance of giving back to the community.”
“I am thrilled our people could actively give a gift to support
these young boys living with a disability.”
Northcott Disability Services CEO, Kerry Stubbs, praised the
support of GHD for including a not-for-profit organisation in their
corporate activities and for their ongoing support.
“It is wonderful to see that corporate groups like GHD genuinely
take an interest in the lives of people living with a disability,”
Ms. Stubbs said.
“Small acts of kindness like this really do make a difference to
the lives of the families Northcott supports.”
“We are very grateful for the many ways in which GHD supports
Northcott to help us achieve our purpose of building an inclusive
society.”
Northcott Disability Services is an innovative and dynamic
not-for-profit organisation that provides support to 8,000 people
with a broad range of disabilities and their families and carers
across NSW and the ACT by providing a range of services which
promote a genuinely inclusive society.