The Honda Foundation Moves Huntington's WA With New Wheels

TULLAMARINE, AUSTRALIA – February 24, 2011: The Honda Foundation and Perth’s Honda North, have donated specialised wheelchairs to Huntington’s WA, aiding the charity’s mission for a better quality of life for people with Huntington’s Disease in Western Australia.

The wheelchairs will be on loan to clients and can be adapted for each individual’s needs. Advanced Huntington’s Disease will restrict a person’s ability to walk and talk and may cause enormous discomfort when performing the simplest of tasks, such as eating.

Mr. Lindsay Smalley, Chairman of The Honda Foundation, said not-for-profit groups such as Huntington’s WA deserve assistance from The Honda Foundation. “The tireless support these organisations offer to sufferers and their families is to be congratulated,” Mr. Smalley said.

Dee Sidhu, CEO of Huntington’s WA said; “Huntington’s Disease leads to progressively deteriorating muscle co-ordination and cognitive ability, resulting in significant impairment. Simple tasks become challenging and extremely frustrating.

“Huntington’s Disease, a neurodegenerative inherited disease, is debilitating for sufferers and extremely distressing for family members and carers. Improved equipment, such as the new wheelchair, enables an improved quality of life,” Ms. Sidhu said.

Paul Gardner, Dealer Principal at Honda North, said that Huntington’s WA is a worthy benefactor of The Honda Foundation’s support and an organisation that greatly humbles the Honda North team.

The Honda Foundation aims to provide assistance to local communities and foster goodwill among Honda Australia, Honda Motor Vehicle Dealers and the public. It draws funding from Honda Dealers and Honda Australia who donate $15 ($5 and $10 respectively) for every Honda car sold.

For more information on The Honda Foundation and the organisations it supports, please visit www.hondafoundation.org.au