Less fortunate children given the ride of their lives
For most of us, the opportunity to ride on an aeroplane may be something that we are very used to. In fact, some may consider it a hassle having to go through endless queues of immigration gates and security checks.
However, for the less fortunate, a plane ride is an experience to cherish and that’s what 300 children from Asrama Damai Kuang, Asrama As Shakur, House of Joy and Persatuan Anak Yatim Kampung Medan, special children from PERNIM, and children of police and army personnel got on Saturday, 1 May 2010.
In an event jointly organized by Harley-Davidson Kuala Lumpur and MASCharter, the 300 less fortunate children were treated to joy rides on Harley Davidson motorcycles by the owners of the bikes themselves before being ushered onto a Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet, where they were taken on a round trip around Kuala Lumpur city.
Early in the morning, the children and the Harley owners were gathered at Harley KL’s showroom at Naza Mall, Petaling Jaya. From there, they were taken to Subang airport on a convoy which consisted of eight buses and 50 Harley motorcycles. Also joining the convoy was a smaller group of BMW bikers, who served duty as camera bikes.
At the MAS Engineering Complex in Subang, all present were served with breakfast before each of the 300 children were treated to joyrides by the Harley owners around the complex compound.
Finally, the children were escorted to the waiting Boeing 747 on the airport’s tarmac where they were flown around KL’s skyline at a lowly height of 2,000 feet (609.6 metres!) before landing at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport at Sepang.
NAZA Group of Companies Executive Vice President of Operations Dato’ SM Zulkifli SM Amin described the event as part of the corporate social responsibility efforts by those involved for underprivileged children.
“Apart from the usual merriment of food and goodies, this event truly captures the hearts of these children and gives them an experience they would never forget for the rest of their lives. It also provides them with the basis of excelling in their lives,” he said.
Last year, a similar program was organized for children of other homes. Themed “A Night to Remember – Ride with Harley, Fly with Airbus”, the children were flown on an Airbus 330 from the Subang Airport to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang.
Makes you ponder, doesn’t it. Many things that we take for granted are sometimes special enough to make a difference in the lives of others.
Pictures: Official Naza release
