Grant aid has enabled the purchase of two all terrain wheelchairs for the requirements of disabled visitors to Brogdale Collections. At Brogdale, the home of the National Fruit Collection – the world’s largest and best fruit collection with 4,000 varieties – providing full access for all visitors across the 150-acre rural location has been imperative. Due to the diverse and uneven terrain of the site and the variable weather conditions, disabled guests’ wheelchairs are not always fit for purpose. Therefore, it was vital that we should provide high quality all-purpose specialist wheelchairs. In speaking with various wheelchair suppliers it was felt that ‘The MT Push buddy chair’ from the Mountain Trike Ltd www.mountaintrike.com fully met requirements.
The MT Push has the ability to be pushed by a buddy over a wide variety of terrains and has an adjustable push handle, large front wheels and rugged chassis which makes it a joy to push even over wet grass, muddy trails, uneven paving and sand. Air suspension provides a smooth and comfortable ride when dropping off curbs, riding over cobbles, cracked pavements and tree roots. Hydraulic disc brakes offers excellent propulsion, control and braking, over difficult ground and up steep hills.
Paul Tomlinson, Fundraising Manager, said: ‘We knew the MT push would be perfect for the requirements of our disabled visitors, however, the cost of £3,495 each was beyond our limited resources as a charity and so we were delighted when the Belsize Charitable Trust and the Bruce Wake Charity provided us with grants to purchase two of them. It now means that our disabled visitors and those who lack mobility are able to fully access our activities, events and services and have an enjoyable experience, learn and have fun at our spectacular location. Whether they come to take part in an outdoor course, join an orchard tour, visit one of our fun-filled festivals (apple and cider) or events (cherry blossom, strawberry, pear etc) or participate in our Easter and Christmas activities, they can now do so with confidence that they can fully experience what we have to offer. “
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