Noble Park North Ward councillor Maria Sampey, with Tom and Ilona Roth and their newest family member – a refurbished Ford Laser – courtesy of the hardworking young people at Hand Brake Turn.
By Shaun Inguanzo
A NOBLE PARK couple battling chronic illnesses has received an amazing hand-up from a talented team of disadvantaged youths.
Tom Roth, 75, suffers emphysema, and his wife Ilona, 74, recently had a hysterectomy.
But for the past seven months the pair has been without a car because they could not afford to fix the motor in their 1974 Toyota Corolla.
A lack of bus services on weekends meant the Roths were isolated.
In one case, Mr Roth could not visit his wife while she was in hospital recovering from her hysterectomy.
But on 16 March, a team of mechanically minded young people gave the Roths the surprise of their lives.
Noble Park North Ward councillor Maria Sampey arranged with Concern Australia’s Hand Brake Turn program for the Roths to be the recipients of a refurbished Ford Laser.
The Laser was the fruit of the efforts of a team of disadvantaged young people aged between 15 and 19.
The teeangers are given motor mechanic training to a pre-apprenticeship level to help them secure further education in the field, or even work.
They work on refurbishing a car for an eight-week period, and once complete, donate the car to a worthy recipient at their class graduation ceremony.
The Roths were ecstatic, and Mrs Roth told Star the donation was made even more special by the fact it fell on her husband’s birthday.
“They (the young people) have made something very beautiful for us,” she said.
“It is our dream come true to have a car again.”
