Big Rodeo parade wave to our War Amps CHAMPS
Yusuf Azim knows the value of the key tag War Amps program.
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Updated: May 13, 2009 10:31 PM
Give the War Amps a special wave when you watch the Cloverdale Rodeo Parade on Saturday. They’ll be the nine cheery young amputees on board the Playsafe/Drive Safe float.
CHAMP Safety Ambassadors Aimee Brennan, 7, Emily Antonyk, 6, Arianna Hunsicker, 5, Yusuf Azim, 8, Julia Chiasson, 9, and Zachary Leach, 8, will be riding on the float.
Michelle Rintoul, Spencer Coulter, and Kathryn Marlow, will be Safety Walkers accompanying the float.
As members of The War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program, these Champs are eligible to receive financial assistance with artificial limbs, counselling and attend Seminars and, as part of the National Safety Ambassador Team, will pass on the PlaySafe message using a unique kids-to-kids approach. They also pass the DriveSafe message on to adults.
The CHAMP program, started by War Amps CEO Cliff Chadderton, encourages kids to spot the danger before they play. Astar, the gold robot from the Planet Danger, reminds youngsters that—unlike a robot—they cannot replace their limbs.
“We salute these Champs today because, with their help, our safety messages reach more than a million spectators every year across Canada,” said CHAMP graduate and PlaySafe/DriveSafe director Rob Larman.
Layman, who won a dare to jump aboard a train when he was 14, and lost a leg in the process, knows what he is talking about.
A War Amps video series produced by Chatterton has been released to TV channels across the province.
Featured in one segment is Adam Kingsmill, 9, of Smithers, a right leg amputee who lost his leg in a lawnmower accident.
For PlaySafe information or resources, call 1-800-250-3030 or visit www.waramps.ca.
editor@cloverdalereporter.com
v2
