CHRISTIANA, Manchester — Motorcyclists in northern Manchester recently benefited from the distribution of 143 helmets geared towards improving their safety on the roads.

The initiative, which was organised by the Kiwanis Club of Spalding-Christiana and the Kiwanis Club of North St Andrew targeted motorcyclists in the Spalding, Christiana and surrounding areas.

In a statement the club said the project was staged at the Total Energies Gas Station on the Manchester/Clarendon border in Spalding.

Past president of the Kiwanis Club of Spalding-Christiana and director of nursing services Jackie Pennycook said the initiative is vital towards embracing road safety.

“The initiative aimed to promote road safety and protect riders from potential head injuries, a major cause for concern at the nearby Percy Junor Hospital,” said Pennycook.

“Some 25 Kiwanians and family members were instrumental in the successful execution of the project. The helmets were very well received by the riders, some of whom complained that they could not afford the cost of proper safety helmets,” added Pennycook.

The event was held under the theme ‘Gear Up for Safety, Ride with Confidence’.

The helmets were sponsored by Total Energies Jamaica.

Kiwanis Club of North St Andrew President Jason McIntosh said the 143 helmets are part of a larger batch donated to the Kiwanis Club for distribution islandwide.

He said the largest number of helmets were distributed at similar events in Dunbars River, Savanna-la-Mar and Little London in Westmoreland.

Helmets were also presented to the Christiana and Spalding police stations.

As at September 18, 97 motorcyclists and 13 pillions were among the 268 road fatalities in Jamaica since the start of this year.

In the majority of the cases, neither the motorcyclist nor the pillion was wearing a helmet.