Avis Rent a Car Southern Africa donated a Toyota Quantum to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH) on May 23 in Parktown, Johannesburg, to contribute to realising Nelson Mandela’s dream of improving the quality of life of South African children – the lifeblood of our nation.
Avis Rent a Car has a longstanding relationship with the NMCH. The NMCH Trust began its fundraising in 2012. In July 2013, Avis handed over a small vehicle to the hospital to help promote its awareness drives and generate funds for the construction of the hospital.
In June 2017, the hospital started phasing in its operations, receiving patients referred from Gauteng academic hospitals. It became clear that there was a need to help patients and their families to travel to and from the hospital for treatment. Avis decided to donate a permanent vehicle to transport non-critical patients and their parents.
Rainer Gottschick, CEO of Avis Rent a Car Southern Africa, says: “Avis Rent a Car is humbled to be a part of this great initiative and serve the hospital to ensure that Nelson Mandela’s legacy lives on. The golden thread that runs through our various corporate social responsibility initiatives is to uplift communities where we operate, and to create a future generation of leaders in South Africa.
“The donation of the Toyota Quantum is in line with our brand promise that people are more important than cars. Furthermore, it reminds us of the importance of giving back to the communities that we operate in.”
Dr Mandisa Maholwana, CEO of NMCH, notes: “Avis Rent a Car has been an avid supporter of NMCH since the capital campaign stage. With the hospital operational, new needs arise in our patient care journey, and we are truly grateful for this new vehicle to transport patients and their families. With this donation, Avis shows not only their support for the immediate needs of the hospital, but ultimately Madiba’s hope of access to quality healthcare for all.”
