The Chairman of Tesco PLC, David Reid, has been appointed the new Chair of the Trustee board at children’s mobility charity Whizz-Kidz.

Mr Reid replaces former Chair Julia Kaufmann OBE, who steps down after two years.

David got to know the charity during 2006 when Whizz-Kidz was Tesco Charity of the Year and, although the smallest charity to have won the much-prized partnership, it raised the largest amount seen by the retailer up to that year - at £3.5million. It also allowed the charity to help over 750 children in local areas by providing vital mobility equipment.

Mr Reid said of his new appointment:
“I am delighted to take up the position of Chair of Trustees for Whizz-Kidz. I am eager to become involved in taking the charity forward; increasing the numbers of children and young people we can support with mobility equipment such as powered wheelchairs, and developing a growing programme of additional skills - such as work placements.”

Ruth Owen, Chief Executive of Whizz-Kidz said:
“We are very excited and feel very privileged to have David as our new Chair – it is testimony to his personal dedication to the independence of disabled young people and also his continued belief in Whizz-Kidz. We have a shared vision that every child gets the opportunity to fulfill their potential, and lives an active childhood.
“There is a vast need unmet by the NHS in the UK for mobility equipment to provide children with the right equipment at the right time. With David Reid’s support we can reach many more of the 70,000 children in this country who require this equipment to lead an independent life.”

For more information about Whizz-Kidz, please visit www.whizz-kidz.org.uk

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For further information please contact Rob Dyson, PR Manager on 020 7798 6103 or r.dyson@whizz-kidz.org.uk.

Notes to Editors

• David Reid CA joined Tesco in 1985 and later that year was appointed Finance Director of Tesco PLC. From June 1996 to December 2003, David Reid was Deputy Chairman with responsibility for Business Development, Strategic Planning and the International Operations in Central Europe, Asia and the Republic of Ireland. David was appointed Chairman of Tesco PLC on 2 April 2004.

• Whizz-Kidz has changed the lives of over 7,500 disabled children since 1990 - often literally overnight. The charity supports young people to access the right mobility equipment, including powered wheelchairs, at the right time. Whizz-Kidz also delivers wheelchair skills-training and other life-skills to help their transition from childhood to adulthood.

• There are still over 70,000 children in the UK who need our support. Find out more and help move a life forward visit: www.whizz-kidz.org.uk

• The right wheelchair and mobility equipment is not automatically provided on the NHS. Whizz-Kidz aims to joint-fund mobility equipment where possible with local NHS services, and aims to ensure that much-needed improvements are made in delivering wheelchair services for children in the UK.