Ford Ireland has announced that, since September, it has managed to raise a massive €26,310 for Irish Guide Dogs.
Wow! How has that much been raised?
Simple, really. Ford Ireland pledged that for every time a new Ford model – Puma, Explorer, Capri, Mustang Mach-E etc – was taken out for a test drive over five weekends in September and October, it would donate €30 to Irish Guide Dogs.
So, how many test drives took place?
In total, 877 Fords were taken out for test drives from its national dealer network during those Drive 4 Ur Community weekends, and that adds up to the magic €26,310 figure.
John Manning, Market Lead, Ford Ireland added: “Ford Ireland is proud that it can today announce the €26,310 donation to Irish Guide Dogs through our Drive 4 UR Community events. This partnership truly reflects what Ford Building Together is all about, supporting organisations that make a real and lasting difference in the community. Through this nationwide initiative, we invited people across Ireland to get behind the wheel and make a difference, totalling 877 test drives throughout those weekends, facilitated at our Drive 4 Ur Community events. For every test drive, we donated €30 directly to Irish Guide Dogs, helping them continue their incredible work empowering people who are vision impaired and families of children with autism.”
Wait, guide dogs help with autism too?
Yup – as well as helping those suffering from vision loss, Irish Guide Dogs also trains animals to be support for young children with varying forms of autism, giving them both companionship and direct assistance as needed.
Tim O’Mahony, Chief Executive of Irish Guide Dogs, notes: “Having a guide dog or assistance dog is simply life-changing in which a whole world of independence and mobility opens. With thanks to the ongoing generosity and commitment of supporters like Ford Ireland, we can continue training more dogs, expanding our reach, and ensuring that no one is left waiting for the independence, mobility and companionship these extraordinary dogs provide.”
So, is this just about guide dogs?
Not quite – that’s the Irish charity that Ford Ireland specifically supports, but Drive 4 UR Community is a global Ford thing.
For instance, the flagship initiative of the Ford Building Together initiative was the World’s Largest Auto Dealer Food Drive, where Ford dealers around the world united to collect over 861,000kg of food across 31 countries to support local food banks and pantries.
According to Ford: “As part of this broader effort, which unites Ford, its dealers, and communities to support causes such as education, food security, disaster relief, and community development, Drive 4 UR Community empowers people to make a difference close to home. This hands-on program not only raises essential funds for community initiatives but also embodies the spirit of Ford Building Together, rallying around a shared purpose to create a lasting positive impact.”