When Roger Foster, owner of Tires on the Run in Airdrie, heard about Kayla McPhail's story, the Airdrie mother whose family had started a gofundme campaign to raise funds for their six-year-old son Bronson who has cerebral palsy, in order to be able to buy a wheelchair accessible van, Foster knew he wanted to help in some way or another.

"We decided that we wanted to do a fundraising event for a local cause and we decided we were going to do the free flat repairs and match donations [for the McPhails]. It's a great cause for a local family."

And so on Friday, October 21, those who drive into Tires on the Run (143 East Lake Blvd NE) will be able to have their flat tires repaired, as well as have tire inspections done for free if they choose to donate to the McPhail's; there is no minimum monetary amount required to donate. Though Foster said that most people do book appointments for such services, he said that anyone and everyone is welcome to come by as the staff will try and accommodate as many people as they can. This event will be on for the entire day from 8 a.m. till 9 p.m.

Foster, who is father to four girls said that when he read of the McPhails, it struck a chord with him as an Airdronian and as a parent.

"Being a parent is a lot of work, a lot of hard work and when you're dealing with someone who has cerebral palsy, [the parents] are doing their best to care and love this boy. It just appealed to me that if we can try and make their life a little bit easier, make it easier for him to be joining the family on outings...we wanted to be a part of it," Foster said. 

Foster also underlined that as he and his staff were planning this, a whole host of other local Airdrie businesses decided to lend a hand to the McPhails. The businesses who are going to match donations include All Fitts Automotive Inc, Brockway's Automotive, Maaco Auto Body Shop & Painting, ATR Logistics, North Country Tire, Airdrie Registry, as well as Darryl Davidson the Snap-On Tools Authorized Dealer for Airdrie and area and Big Ben Cleaning Services.

Foster added that Petit Saigon will be at Tires on the Run on Friday, and will happily exchange some delicious grub for donations. He also said that Back Roads Auto Glass, which is owned by Kade Shepherd added his business to the cause and will be offering free windshield chip repairs on Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. as well. 

When asked about how Foster would gauge both the way local businesses and Airdrie's residents react to these types of causes, he said Airdrie has a very unique atmosphere about it.

"[Airdrie] feels like a small town, and to me it does; I'll be in stores and I'll recognize people and people recognize me and you don't expect that in a city of 75,000 people or 80,000 people. I grew up 10 miles from a town of about 1000 people, so, to me Airdrie [seemed] very large," he said. "When people are in need, or if people need help with something it's quite something how the community can rally together."

Foster said he has spoken to Bronson's mom, Kayla McPhail who expressed immense gratitude for what he is doing.

"You don't really expect a tire shop to give you a call. I think she was quite overwhelmed that the people, business owners in the city were coming to, to this cause to try and help out."

In a previous interview with Discover Airdrie, McPhail said that a wheelchair-accessible vehicle can cost upwards of $100,000. The gofundme campaign, which was started for little Bronson by his aunt has now raised $61,420.

"We're just trying to look at the future and what can help us. This vehicle will definitely do that because we can essentially get him dressed for the day, put him in his wheelchair, wheel him outside and right into the van and go to his appointments," she said."[This way] he doesn't get a miss out on anything that typical kids and family get to do with each other."

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