Hunter-based car broker Auto Advantage has joined forces with the Samaritans to create a scholarship that provides a young person with a professional driver education.

The scholarship aims to identify someone who might not normally be able to pay for the professional lessons that form part of the requirements for a NSW driver’s licence P plate.

The inaugural recipient is Hayden, a student living with his partner, Matilda and their daughter, at Samaritans Student Accommodation at Wickham.

Hayden is 18 years old, and wants to ensure he obtains his licence for work and family. He is on his L plates and has a few hours’ driving under his belt, but is keen to be taught.

Thanks to the team at Auto Advantage, NRMA Safer Driver School will provide the instructions, which include an initial 90-minute session, four 60-minute ongoing lessons, plus the Safer Driver Course. The lessons and safety course combined will take 36.5 hours off the 120-hour target and are worth more the $500.

“We were happy to partner with Samaritans,” Auto Advantage Director, Simon Duwner said.

“Not only because of its inspirational welfare work, but we knew it would more easily find a suitable recipient, given the diversity of the organisation’s work with young people.”

“Auto Advantage wants to assist someone who not only needs a licence to get them to work or education, but who is responsible and capable of completing the licence training safely and appropriately. Hayden certainly fits the bill.”

Samaritans Student Accommodation Manager, Barbara White, said that at the core their service is a Foyer Model, which aims to offer many ways of support to young people who are studying.

“Samaritans’ support is certainly amplified through community partnerships like this one with Auto Advantage,” Barbara said. “It is providing an opportunity for young people that just wouldn’t be possible otherwise.”

Image | Hayden with Auto Advantage Director Simon Duwner