HA NOI, Vietnam - February 28, 2014

Hanoi – On February 28th, Prince Michael attended a kick-off ceremony at Van Phuc primary school in Hanoi to launch the “Helmets for Kids”program, organized by Asia Injury Prevention Foundation (AIP Foundation).  More than 1,100 helmets sponsored by the FIA Foundation were provided to students and teachers of Van Phuc primary school. On this occasion, Prince Michael presented the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award to Vietnam Television (VTV) in recognition of VTV’s positive contributions to road safety awareness in Vietnam.

Mr. Antony Stokes, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Vietnam; Mr. Nguyen Hoang Hiep, Vice Chairman of National Traffic Safety Committee, Mr. Greig Craft, President of AIP Foundation; Mr. Saul Billingsley, Director General of FIA Foundation; Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tan, Deputy Director of Hanoi Transportation Department and standing member of Hanoi Traffic Safety Committee (TSC); Mr. Nguyen Hiep Thong, Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Education and Training (DOET); and representatives from National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC), Police Department, and Vietnam Television attended the kick-off ceremony.

At the start of the event, Prince Michael visited road safety activity booths conducted by AIP Foundation and talked with students about the importance of road safety. Activities included helmet decorating, traffic sign memorization games, and bicycling practice. On stage, Prince Michael, Ambassador Stokes, and representatives from NTSC, Hanoi DOET, AIP Foundation and FIA Foundation distributed helmets to student representatives, demonstrating their strong support for the “Helmets for Kids” program. These helmets will serve as important companions to students as they travel to and from school each day.