News

Guide Dogs driving forward thanks to CMV Group Foundation

March 24, 2021

Five people and a Black Labrador in an orange coat standing in a car showroom in front of two white cars and an orange Guide Dogs banner. Two of the people are holding a certificate and everyone is smiling.

Image caption: Guide Dogs SA/NT CEO Aaron Chia and Board Member Katie Sarah with CMV Group Foundation Trustees David Crawford, Paul Crawford and Michael Crawford.

The Guide Dogs SA/NT team is CMI’ling thanks to the generosity of the CMV Group Foundation.

Last Monday, Guide Dogs staff visited CMI Toyota Adelaide to collect three brand new Toyota vehicles, supplied thanks to the support of the CMV Group Foundation.

The three new vehicles will enable our clinicians to continue providing vital services to people with vision impairment or blindness across South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Guide Dogs SA/NT Chief Executive Officer Aaron Chia and Board Member Katie Sarah joined CMI Toyota management and staff and the CMV Group Foundation Trustees for the presentation of the new vehicles.

Mr Chia said the Guide Dogs SA/NT Vision Services team had spent more than 1,300 hours travelling to support clients in the past financial year.

“Our clinicians travel far and wide across South Australia and the Northern Territory to provide life-changing services to our clients, most often in their homes,” he said.

“Thanks to the support of the CMV Group Foundation, we have been able to replace three of our old vehicles with fantastic new Toyota vehicles from CMI Toyota.

“The new vehicles will enable our clinicians to continue supporting clients in both local and regional areas, and will also reduce our operating costs through features such as greater fuel efficiency.

“This means we can invest more directly into the programs and services that make the biggest difference in the lives of people with vision impairment, children with autism, and their families.

“We are sincerely grateful for the generosity of the Crawford family and the CMV Group Foundation, and proud to be associated with one of South Australia’s longest privately-owned family businesses.”

The CMV Group Foundation and CMI Toyota will also support Guide Dogs with a fourth vehicle in the coming months.

The fourth Toyota will replace our existing Community Volunteer vehicle, which is used by our wonderful volunteers to distribute, collect and maintain our iconic Collection Dogs and tap-to-donate machines.

CMV Group Foundation Trustee, David Crawford says, “On behalf of the Crawford family and the CMV Group Foundation, we are proud to support the life-changing services Guide Dogs SA/NT provide within our community.

“It is wonderful to know that the Community Volunteer vehicles supplied by CMI Toyota will play an important role in ensuring the Guide Dogs SA/NT clinicians will be able to travel safely across SA and NT.

“We enjoyed having the chance to learn more about the incredible programs and personalised support Guide Dogs SA/NT offer clients to maximise their independence.”