For some, there is nothing more meaningful than bringing joy to children – especially during the holidays. To help spread cheer, Quantel Medical, a global ophthalmic medical device company, sponsors an annual event for orphans during the holidays – the Classic Cars Charity Run.
For the last six years, Franck Morand, Quantel Medical’s manager for the Asia-Pacific region, has been the organizer of Classic Cars Charity Run. During the last event in December 2017, more than 70 orphans (aged 7 to 18) from Baan Mai Sawan New Life Center were treated to a fun-filled day at the Promenada shopping mall in Chiang Mai, Thailand. At the mall, the children enjoyed a viewing of Disney-Pixar’s animated box office hit Coco, followed by lunch and dessert.
The children were driven to-and-from the Promenada in a vibrant convoy of vintage cars by members of the Classic Cars Enthusiasts (Chiang Mai region). Mr. Morand says he asks his fellow classic car enthusiast friends to lend a hand with the events: “I ask them if they are free to give their time for a day with their beloved classic car to join, what I call a ‘Classic Car Charity Run,’ at least once a year.”
“I think we are privileged people to be able to get involved in a passion such as classic cars, so I think we should give to kids in need,” continued Mr. Morand. He says this is not only a way to give back, but that it also creates awareness about the tough lives that children without parents often lead. “The most important thing is to give a bright day to them,” he added.
Noting that the holidays can be a lonely time for those without family, Mr. Morand makes an effort to spread joy during the holidays. In the past, he has taken the orphans to different places, like the local Night Safari and Horizon Village Resort. “The best reward we get are the smiling faces of the kids who have had a good time.”
Mr. Morand is pleased with the response he gets for the event each year. “In addition to donations, several classic car owners are very generous and help us close the budget. And every year, I ask Quantel Medical to assist and they never fail to do so, which is really great.”
Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Quantel Medical is dedicated to developing leading technologies to improve the diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases. The company has a strong emphasis in research and development, resulting in many first-to-market product introductions and a comprehensive product portfolio of diagnostic ultrasound, surgical lasers and a range of disposable products for ophthalmologists.
