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RACV riding tandem with The Smith Family

Media releases

29 July 2014

RACV has teamed up with Australia's largest children's education charity, The Smith Family to provide bicycle education and training to disadvantaged students at five Victorian schools.

RACV Bikes in Schools program will be launched on 28 July at Hampton Park Secondary College, in Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs.

Under the program each of the five schools in Lakes Entrance, Wyndham, Dandenong, Hampton Park and Bendigo will receive 24 new bicycles and helmets.

These will be used in a bicycle education program to be run over two terms, with nominated school teachers taking part in a Bicycle Education Instructor Training Course delivered by Cycling Safe to ensure students learn to ride safely and with confidence.

RACV Director Graeme Chipp said the partnership between RACV and The Smith Family builds on RACV's commitment to its 2.1 million members to make a valuable contribution to the Victorian community.

"Riding a bicycle is one of the joys of childhood but unfortunately many young people miss out. The RACV Bikes in Schools program gives students an opportunity to learn how to ride within a safe environment, regardless of their financial situation," he said.

Research shows that half of all children living in Australia's most disadvantaged communities did not participate in any sporting activity outside of school hours over the past 12 months.

This compares to one-in-10 children living in the most advantaged communities.

The Smith Family's Victorian General Manager, Anton Leschen said extra-curricular activities can lead to increased school engagement and The Smith Family is very proud to work with RACV to bring this opportunity to students at some of its partner schools across Victoria.

"A true and comprehensive education offers a full range of experience and the RACV Bikes in Schools program is a terrific initiative for children who might not otherwise get the opportunity to participate in a fun and healthy activity within the school program," he said.

An RACV Junior Cycling Team from each school will also take part in Bupa Around the Bay, Australia's largest one-day mass participation bike ride, to be held on Sunday 19 October.

The RACV Bikes in Schools program will be delivered to Lakes Entrance Secondary College, Manor Lakes P-12 College, Dandenong High School, Hampton Park Secondary College, and Eaglehawk Secondary College.

Media Inquiries: Kate Nash, PR & Media Advisor, The Smith Family, phone (03) 9473 4302 or kate.nash@thesmithfamily.com.au

Lynette Keogh, RACV Public Affairs: 03 9790 2572 or lynette_keogh@racv.com.au

Media contacts:

Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager (National) - 0421 285 529 | andrew.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor (QLD & WA) - 0423 618 776 | carla.horton@thesmithfamily.com.au
Reid Jermyn | Media Advisor (VIC, SA & NT) - 0412 803 566 | reid.jermyn@thesmithfamily.com.au
Ben Chenoweth | Senior Media Advisor (NSW, ACT & TAS) - 0413 346 934 | ben.chenoweth@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. We partner with around 800 Australian schools and work with over 162,000 children and young people experiencing disadvantage access our education support programs to help them overcome . For more information, visit thesmithfamily.com.au