Wheelchairs for Kids

WHEELCHAIRS FOR KIDS PROJECT

 

DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS 2005-06

 

BACKGROUND:

 

The Wheelchairs for Kids program was initiated in 1993 by Rotarian Des LaRance, from the Rotary Club of Surfers Sunrise, following a holiday visit to Fiji.

 

Des noticed a child who was physically disabled, unable to walk and dragging himself around on the mud floor of his simple village home on his bottom in the dust. He suggested the idea of providing a wheelchair for this and other children to enable mobility and the ability to undertaking schooling and mixing with the child's peer group.

 

Des constructed a simple, but very rugged wheelchair from old bicycle parts and a wooden chair attached. The Rotary club took on the idea and with the assistance of Channel 9 in Brisbane raised over $200,000 to build wheelchairs and supply to Third World Country children in need. It has been estimated that there is a need in excess of 300 million for these chairs throughout the world.

 

The concept of Wheelchairs for Kids then moved to Wangara in Perth under the auspices of the Rotary Club of Scarborough and helped by the Christian Brothers. The Scarborough club set up a factory and now manufactures up to 250 wheelchairs each month, using non-Rotarian volunteer labour of approximately 80 people.

 

"Wheelchairs for Kids" was introduced to District 9810 in 2004-05 with an enthusiastic committee lead by PP Adrian Clifford. Following a presentation at the Bendigo District Conference in April 2005, acceptance of the program spread rapidly to most clubs in the District and the total amount raised by the end of the Rotary year amounted to some $50,000 including a generous donation of $20,000 from the Pratt Foundation together with other donations from clubs and individuals. This is sufficient to manufacture 500 wheelchairs.

 

For 2005-06 it has been decided to change the focus with each club in District 9810 encouraged to introduce the project to primary schools in their area. Details of this are set out below.

 

MANUFACTURE:

 

The wheelchairs are made from an aluminium frame, 16' wheels with roller bearings and solid rubber tyres, an aluminium base (foot plate) with a smaller centrally placed castor wheel and the seats are recycled plastic, often obtained from old school seats or sporting venues.

 

Apart from the recycled seats, the chairs are made from all new materials.

 

The chairs are packaged as kits in boxes, together with a small tool kit for assembly and a cushion and small toy for the recipient.

 

The boxes and transport to the major delivery ports are all donated by generous benefactors. Overseas distribution in containers is paid for by several bodies including other Rotary clubs.

 

COST:

 

Amazingly, these wheelchairs can be made for under $100 each and every dollar donated goes to the purchase of materials to construct a wheelchair. All management, administrative and overhead costs are provided by the Rotary Club of Scarborough in Western Australia and the only limitation to their ability to make wheelchairs is the availability of money for raw materials.

 

DISTRIBUTION:

 

The wheelchairs are provided to disabled children in more than 40 countries in every continent at no cost. Distribution is managed by World Vision and other aid organizations. To date over 5,000 chairs have been provided and the need far outweighs the ability to supply.

 

THE PLAN FOR DISTRICT 9810 IN 2005-06:

 

A co-ordinator from each club in District 9810 is to arrange to demonstrate the wheelchair to primary school pupils.

 

An important to note is that, due to insurance reasons, the wheelchair can be shown and demonstrated to school pupils, but they cannot use the chair under any circumstances.

 

The background details of the project set out above can be used when approaching the schools for permission to run the project.

 

In return, we request donations to further the aims of the project and help more children around the world. Donations can be made in cash (please emphasize the full tax deductibility of these donations (with receipts to be issued by Rotary Club of Scarborough) or collecting used stamps both overseas and Australian.

 

Donations are to be collected by each club representative, the cash banked and a cheque for the total forwarded in favour of 'Wheelchairs for Kids' and posted to Rotary Club of Mount Waverley, P.O. Box 568 Mt. Waverley 3149. Please ensure that a list of donors' names and addresses accompanies the Club's cheque to enable the receipts to be sent. Used stamps can be packaged and forwarded to co-ordinator Carol Farmer or to Carol Hedley.

 

For further information please contact PP Adrian Clifford by email by clicking on the following link: email Adrian Clifford