Three new power-assisted wheelchairs are now available to islanders who need the equipment on a short-term basis, thanks to a donation from the Sure Community Foundation and Guernsey Revival.
The two charities have teamed up to provide the wheelchairs and have arranged for the Ron Short Centre to house them and host and run the booking system.
The service is free of charge and will provide support to anyone who requires it. As the Ron Short Centre is located at Beau Sejour, the chairs are central and accessible for anyone who needs a power-assisted wheelchair.
Islanders will be able to book the use of one of the chairs either for a set period from an hour or up to a full day. Carers and family members will also be able to book the chairs on the individual’s behalf. The wheelchairs will be invaluable for people who otherwise wouldn’t normally be able to get out and about in our community.
The idea for the wheelchair donation came from Sure Community Foundation committee member Karen Jagger and Jeff Fox of Guernsey Revival, who then secured funding from The Retro Festival and the Sure Community Foundation.
Karen said: “Our partnership with Retro and the Ron Short Centre will be hugely useful for the many islanders with temporary disabilities who require support. The Sure Community Foundation has a great relationship with both Guernsey Revival and the Ron Short Centre, so it was easy to bring this amazing idea together.”
The funding of the chair provided by Guernsey Revival was raised at the Retro Festival, the charity’s flagship event which raises funds for a different good cause at each edition.
Jeff and fellow Guernsey Revival member Dennis Le Prevost said: “We’re always looking to raise funds for good causes and helping some of our most marginalised and isolated islanders certainly qualifies. Guernsey Revival is proud to partner with the Sure Community Foundation and The Ron Short Centre to give disabled islanders the dignity of being able to navigate our beautiful island like everyone else.”
Rob Harnish, MD of the Ron Short Centre, said: “We were excited to be asked by the Sure Community Foundation and Guernsey Revival to support this great idea. This initiative will help many people and will stop people feeling isolated because they are unable to get around. We are already benefitting from a donation from the Sure Community Foundation last year and are delighted to be working with them again.”
A wheelchair can be rented by getting in touch with the Ron Short Centre on 01481 724333. The service will be available from 28th March 2022.