ANNOUNCED RECENTLY as part of the first passenger-carrying trial of a Melbourne metro electric bus, the Transdev-operated BYD-Volgren unit is also helping to deliver Christmas cheer for kids in care, the company says.
The Victorian Minister for Public Transport, The Hon. Melissa Horne MP, and Transdev Australasia teamed up to complete a very special delivery in the state’s first locally built, fully electric bus.
It was used to collect and deliver donated Christmas gifts for kids in foster care and residential care, as part of the annual MacKillop Family Services Christmas Drive.
As part of the drive, Transdev collects and packs gifts generously donated by local schools and businesses to ensure kids in care can have a present to open on Christmas Day, the company states.
MacKillop’s director of Community Engagement Sam Patterson says Christmas can be a difficult time of year for kids in care, who are often unable to spend the festive season with their birth family.
“Celebrating traditions helps create a tremendous sense of belonging. Thanks to the generous support of local schools and businesses, such as Transdev, we can ensure every child in care will have a present under the Christmas tree this year,” Patterson said.
SOLID SUPPORT
In previous years, MacKillop had struggled to collect gifts and asked Transdev if it could help this year.
“We are very grateful for Transdev’s support – in the past our staff have had to drive around collecting presents,” Patterson explained.
“It’s time consuming and takes staff away from doing what they do best: supporting vulnerable kids and families,” he added.
Transdev’s chief officer Bus Operations Ian Craig says he was delighted that Transdev could support such a worthwhile cause.
“We believe in giving back to the communities in which we operate, and what better way of doing that than ensuring vulnerable Victorian kids get the special Christmas they deserve,” Craig said.
“Our business is all about people moving people, so it is really not much of a stretch to help Santa move some presents for kids in need,” said Craig.
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Transdev also donated more than $1,000 worth of toys and conducted a donation drive amongst its staff, it says.
Kids come into care at all ages, from babies to 17-year-olds, across all cultural, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds, it explains. All kids have experienced some form of abuse, neglect or trauma, it adds.
To find out more about how you can support MacKillop to bring Christmas cheer to kids in care visit: www.mackillop.org.au/get-involved/donate
Photography: courtesy Transdev Australasia