Helmets on Kids - June 1, 2011

On June 1, 2011, Sandev Purewal, a local representative of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA), will be at Clark Blvd Public School where he will be handing out 700 bicycle helmets to students. Sandev will be accompanied by the sponsors of Helmets on Kids-Peel Region as well as members of the Peel Regional Police, members of Peel Children's Safety Village, representatives of Peel Public Health and representatives of the Brain Injury Association of Peel and Halton. They have all joined forces to promote helmet safety and brain injury awareness. Sandev is the current president of BIAPH.

Sandev practices personal injury law at the Toronto firm, Gluckstein Personal Injury Lawyers LLP.

OTLA's Helmets on Kids Community Partnerships was started by OTLA members in 2002. Since its first event, held in London, Ontario, more than 12,000 helmets have been distributed to elementary school students. OTLA members have expanded the Helmets on Kids campaign to other cities and regions across Ontario. This year, OTLA's HOK events will take place during May and June in Ottawa, Toronto, London, Aurora, Halton Region, Chatham, Peel Region, Quinte Region, Sudbury, Windsor, Brantford, Midland and Simcoe County. The mandate of OTLA's HOK program is to put a helmet on the head of every child who needs one, provide education and awareness about bicycle helmet use. The program also includes a presentation and educational material for distribution at local schools. Cycling-related head injuries in children and youth account for 60% of hospitalizations in this age group (according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information).