A student with a disability from Aflaj, near Riyadh, who was promised a specially built vehicle worth over SR300,000 by a Dubai-based American firm, will receive it in on Jan. 23.

This was announced by Brendan McGuinness, president and chief executive officer of MENA Mobility Solutions, on Friday.

Aboud Al-Aboud is a final year high school student whose plight was front paged in Arab News on Oct. 31, 2014. McGuinness read the story and made the gracious offer the following day.

Al-Aboud is so committed to his education that he travels nearly 10 km every day in his rickety battery-operated wheelchair to get to school. He takes little notice of the hot desert sun in summer or the cold in winter.

“Aboud’s long ride to school will soon end,” said McGuinness. “He will receive the keys to the vehicle at a special event at the Ritz Carlton in Riyadh. It will be attended by his family, friends and members of Arab News and Sabq.org.”

McGuinness said the car is currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the company is completing the formalities to ship it to Riyadh for the handing over ceremony.

Ahmad Al-Kheran, principal of Al-Ruwwad school, which donated the tuition fees for Al-Aboud, said the company contacted the school confirming that the car has arrived in the UAE. The company has also asked for the driver’s details to begin the registration procedures.

Sabq.org was the first to report about Al-Aboud but it was because of Arab News that the news received worldwide attention and also caught the eye of McGuinness.

When the offer was first announced through Arab News on Nov. 3, Al-Aboud’s first reaction was: “Is it true? I can’t believe my ears.”

Thanks to the purpose-built vehicle, Al-Aboud will be able to travel to school in comfort, go out in the evenings with his friends and have a more normal and easier life.

Al-Aboud lives with his father and two sisters in Aflaj. His mother passed away more than 10 years ago.

“I have no words to thank Mr. McGuinness and his business partner, Mr. Swaidan Al-Naboodah,” he told Arab News on Nov. 2. “I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart.”

He said he is determined to continue his education. “I want to make a difference in life. This unbelievable gesture has only strengthened my resolve.”

Al-Aboud’s father, Mohammad, also expressed gratitude to the media, especially to Arab News, for supporting his son. “I am grateful to the company that has offered to donate the special vehicle,” he said. “It will ease the difficulties of my beloved son.”

While announcing the offer, McGuinness had said: “We all have a moral and social obligation to support those with disabilities. I cannot change the world but, maybe, I can help someone like this admirable young man who is trying to achieve his dreams.”