Car design and engineering company reaches out to help vulnerable children charity
To celebrate its one-year anniversary, a design and engineering business which creates bespoke products has partnered with Warwickshire-based charity, the Friendship Project For Children to donate 100 Hot Wheels toy cars to local children within the project.
Callum Design's donation marks the beginning of a growing partnership between the two organisations, with Callum hoping to instil its enthusiasm and passion for cars into the next generation and raise awareness of careers in automotive design and low volume craftsmanship.
The design and engineering business recently presented its first car project, the Aston Martin CALLUM Vanquish 25 by R-Reforged, which will be built at its Warwick facility. Co-founder, Ian Callum, who as well as an avid Hot Wheels fan, was keen to do something locally as an alternative way of celebrating its first year in business.
“Supporting the local community seemed far a more appropriate way to celebrate our first year in these times,” says David Fairbairn, Callum director. “We’ve also an opportunity to generate some sparks of interest in automotive design and manufacture as a possible career for these young people. Typically, they wouldn’t get access to the design or prototype department of a major manufacturer. When conditions allow, we plan to show them first-hand the broad scope of roles available. We think they might be surprised.”
The Friendship Project matches children and young people – who are in need, for a variety of reasons – with an older friend volunteer who spends time with them, on a weekly basis enabling them to enjoy activities such as sports, arts and crafts or music. For some, even playing in the park or going to the cinema is something they couldn’t otherwise get to experience.
“We really appreciate the Hot Wheels cars that Callum has donated,” said Angela Truman from The Friendship Project. “Giving young people a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into designing and making cars has the potential to spark new career ideas and is something I know many are already excited about.”
Callum also plans to help the charity in other ways, lending its design skills to create posters and brochures for The Friendship Project. “It’s important we attract more volunteers as we have a growing need for children in Warwickshire who require extra support and guidance,” added Angela. “Having designers of this calibre for our charity will definitely help us the get the message out.
