Goodyear renews its corporate membership for another year

After first pledging its support to Transaid in 2015, Goodyear has renewed its corporate membership for a further year.

The company’s commitment will provide essential unrestricted funding towards the testing and implementation of new programmes aimed at improving access to healthcare and road safety in sub-Saharan Africa.

Goodyear has also agreed to fund a new bicycle ambulance, which will be used to support the MAMaZ Against Malaria programme in Zambia, which aims at improving access to vital malaria medicines for young children.

Last year, the programme’s 12 month pilot in the Serenje district saw exceptional results, recording just three deaths from severe childhood malaria – compared to the 97 deaths that would have ordinarily been expected. The programme is now being scaled up to reach even more isolated communities in need of access to urgent malaria treatment.

Goodyear first donated a branded bicycle ambulance in 2015, supporting Transaid’s implementation of a local Emergency Transport Scheme (ETS) for remote communities which had previously faced long walks on foot to access medical services.

According to David Howe, Commercial Sales General Manager at Goodyear, the evident positive effect of the company’s support was key to their decision to continue backing Transaid. “We became involved with Transaid because we wanted to help improve the lives of people in Africa, and we’re delighted by the impact we’ve been able to have in such a short space of time.

“Knowing our first bicycle ambulance has already helped to save lives made the decision to renew our support a very simple one; we’re naturally very excited to get our second bicycle ambulance into a community in early in 2019.”

Caroline Barber, CEO of Transaid, has also expressed her excitement at the announcement: “Our corporate members are essential to the success of Transaid, and we’re delighted Goodyear has renewed its support for another year. They are a fantastic team to work with, and we are excited for what we can continue to achieve together.”