Ever wanted to hire a wheelchair and not known where to turn? The British Red Cross office at Fulwood should be your first port of call.
They have wheelchairs of all shapes and sizes for age five upwards … at the cost of just £20 per week. “People find us and they are amazed and say we didn’t know you did all this,” says mobility aids service assistant Jo Cowley (right). “We get people from all over Lancashire and the Fylde and they are really grateful for the service we provide, which is possibly because it’s more personal than going to a commercial provider – and cheaper. “Everyone has a story to tell and I listen to them – that’s part of the enjoyment of doing my job.”
Open four days a week, the service is located on the ground floor of the British Red Cross complex opposite the Royal Mail sorting office in Fulwood. They have wheelchairs for children aged five upwards, for teenagers and adults right through to bariatric wheelchairs for clients with bigger hip sizes weighing up to 25 stones. All are thoroughly cleaned and safety checked before hire. They can also provide wheelchair leg extensions for people who have injuries or need legs supporting. Jo said they also hire out commodes for £10 a week.
Minimum hire is for a week and maximum length of hire is for 20 weeks, which includes a 12-week service check. If people need a wheelchair for longer, Jo said they have reconditioned wheelchairs which they can sell.
Other reconditioned mobility aids which may be for sale include walkers, rollators, zimmer frames and perching stools.
A lot of referrals come from hospitals who know about the service but Jo said they wanted to increase awareness of it among the public. “We do ask people to collect the wheelchair – generally the back folds down and they can be fitted into a car.”
Ring or book online at the web address.
Opening Times: 1000am to 2pm on Monday – Tuesday – Thursday – Friday
