International development charity, Transaid are set to deliver a new bicycle ambulance to Zambia which will help young children access malaria medicines.

The bicycle has been funded by Goodyear to support Transaid’s implementation of a local Emergency Transport Scheme for remote communities which had previously faced long walks on foot to reach medical facilities.

This is the second bicycle ambulance donation and it follows the exceptional results from a 12-month pilot in the Serenje district in Zambia. During the trial period there were just three recorded deaths from severe child malaria – compared to the 97 deaths that would ordinarily have been expected.

David Howe, from Goodyear, says:

“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, said:

“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.”

Transaid’s core work includes creating transport management systems for the public sector and assisting with the provision of professional driving qualification development and the training of driver trainers.  It assists with teaching preventive vehicle maintenance management and introducing local, low cost transport solutions including its innovative bicycle ambulance. Transaid also helps promote road safety awareness and shares its specialist knowledge with the humanitarian aid sector.

You can find out more about Transaid and donate here.

Photo: Goodyear