A charity that mentors young fatherless boys is being given an important boost that could help to save lives.

Holden New Zealand is teaming up with Big Buddy to get young drivers ready for life on New Zealand roads through the Holden Street Smart programme.

Fronted by motorsport icon Greg Murphy, Holden Street Smart launched earlier this year and provides hands-on driving skills that improve driver safety and awareness. Big Buddy is a Kiwi charity that coordinates male role models to mentor 7-14-year-old boys, many of whom remain part of the Big Buddy community for life.

As part of the partnership, Holden will allocate spaces to Little Buddies who have attained their first stages of their drivers licence each school holiday, providing them with the opportunity to learn a host of driving techniques taught by a team of qualified coaches. In just one day, those boys will learn emergency braking, crash avoidance, low speed manoeuvring and more.

Big Buddy CEO, Paul Burns, says that with young men over-represented when it comes to car accidents, it’s important that the boys take part in a programme that could ultimately save lives.

“The Big Buddies give up valuable time to guide these boys through life, so when we were faced with this opportunity to do something for the boys as they grow older, it seemed like the perfect fit. It’s also refreshing for our mentors and boys to be able to take part in something that is a little different, fun and educational.

“It’s common for us to source partnerships that benefit the younger boys, so Holden Street Smart will enable the boys reaching or already in adulthood to be rewarded too.”

Hayden Dickason, Programme Director of Holden Street Smart, says: “We’re delighted to be able to provide young drivers from the charity with the opportunity to learn essential skills, helping to keep them safe on our roads.

“There are so many incredible Big Buddies out there who give up much of their weekend to spend time with their Little Buddies. I think they will appreciate knowing that as that boy grows into manhood, he’s getting some guidance on driver awareness and ultimately improving his safety while on the road.”

The partnership has been formed ahead of Holden Street Smart’s third flight of programme deliveries, which kicks off across the country again in December.

The programme takes place at several locations across the country. To find out more, and to book a spot, visit: https://www.holdenstreetsmart.co.nz/

© Scoop Media