'Ocean Life Rescuer': 9-year-old Vaughan kid wins national 'dream car' design contest

Yorkregion.com
June 15, 2022

While the past few years have been tough on all of us, our kids have chosen to see our worldwide challenges as opportunities. Among the children providing us with hope is nine-year-old Bellina Man from Vaughan.

Inspired by recent world issues -- including health and environmental challenges -- Bellina and eight other kids are being globally recognized for inventing vehicles to help make the world a better place.

Every year, Toyota invites kids across Canada (and around the world) to design a "dream car" to help make the world a better place, and Bellina's "Ocean Life Rescuer" was selected as one of the three finalists in the category for kids eight to 11 years old.

Bellina's "Ocean Life Rescuer" cleans up plastic waste in the ocean and sends a team to rescue animals impacted by plastic pollution, making our ocean a happy home for all.

"I'm truly impressed by the creative, innovative and world-changing ideas presented by Canadian youth," said Larry Hutchinson, Toyota Canada Inc. president and CEO.

 

"With their vision to design a future that is more sustainable for our people, animals and ecosystem, it's clear to see that these are the leaders of tomorrow bringing forward their world-class ideas."

The nine Canadian finalists will now be entered into the world finals of the contest for a chance to win a prize valued at $15,000 USD. Each Canadian finalist will also receive a $250 online retail gift card to KiwiCo.

First held in 2004 and now one of the world's largest global design contests for children, the Toyota Dream Car Art contest invites future artists, designers and engineers to share their ideas about the future of mobility.

For more about the Toyota Dream Car Art contest, visit toyota.ca/dreamcarcontest and to see the winning artwork, visit the Toyota Canada Newsroom.