Grace Hospital continued its 20 year support of Life Education Trust Western Bay of Plenty Region when it presented a new vehicle to educator Michael Chemis.

The Life Education lessons are presented in two mobile classrooms, which are transported to schools between Katikati and Otamarakau, by local transport companies.

The two educators and the programme's lovable mascot Harold the Giraffe need transport to get from school to school, and Grace Hospital provides one vehicle and covers the running costs, as its contribution to Life Education in the Western Bay of Plenty.

Life Education WBOP Region chairperson Sue Boyne is grateful for the ongoing support of Grace Hospital.

'We receive no government funding, and must raise over $120,000 each year through grant funding, donations, sponsorship and fund raising, to keep the programme running,” she says.

'The support of our major sponsors such as Grace Hospital makes a huge difference to our organisation – it means we can continue to provide the Life Education programme to over 12,000 children at primary and intermediate schools throughout the Western Bay of Plenty.”

Grace Hospital General Manager Janet Keys says the hospital is delighted to assist the Life Education Trust with the donation of a new vehicle.

'We look forward to the continued success of the programme which provides valuable support to the development of healthy children in our community.”