50,000TH TRIP FOR HEREFORD'S SHOPMOBILITY

Shopmobility in Hereford is celebrating the milestone of 50,000 “trips” made with its range of scooters and chairs.

Since the service began in Hereford in 1990, people with mobility problems have made around 26,115 trips on scooters, 9,560 trips on powerchairs and 14,325 trips on wheelchairs.

Cllr Glenda Powell, Shopmobility Liaison Committee member, said: “This is an impressive milestone for Shopmobility and shows how valued this service is in the community.

“I feel this is due to the friendliness of the staff”.

Herefordshire Council manages Hereford Shopmobility in partnership with the local charity Hereford Access For All which supplies and maintains the scooters and chairs.

Hereford Shopmobility, based in the Maylord Shopping Centre underground car park, opened on July 4, 1990, and is a FREE LOAN SCHEME providing mobility vehicles - manual and battery powered wheelchairs and scooters.

The service is for people with limited mobility and is to help them shop, use and enjoy the facilities of Hereford City Centre.

David Hepworth, Herefordshire Council’s Shopmobility Supervisor, said: “Anyone who has difficulty in walking, whether through disability, age or accident, can borrow a vehicle, as long as they are able to control it.

“The Scooters - the most popular vehicle on loan - are easy to drive. They are ideal for people who have some mobility who are able to park safely outside a shop and walk around the shop.”

Jim Lawes, Hereford Access for All, said: “We’re delighted that the scheme has been such a success.”

Powerchairs are slightly more difficult to use but are ideal for people who have less mobility and want to stay on the vehicle inside the shops or for people who have the use of one arm only.

Manual wheelchairs are also very popular and are supplied with a cushion and shopping bag.

The centre is open Monday to Saturday inclusive, from 9am to 4.45pm.