Being part of the Local Community
Our aim is to help residents at Martha live life to their full potential, and we believe this can only happen when they have full access to the outside world – where education, play, and therapy are combined with social contact with friends, family and the local community.
Supporting residents to the shops, an outing, or to hospital or the dentist presents us with a challenge. The severity of their disabilities means that they need constant attendance and their wheelchairs, which are custom-built to provide support, correct posture, and ensure safety, are not easily transported. Vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements and an integral lift is essential; wheelchair anchor-points and passenger seats have to be both secure and easily and quickly dismountable – and such a specification is beyond the capability of vehicle hire companies.
We have a number of adapted vehicles across our homes: four minibuses and two single person adapted vehicles. These are a vital lifeline to our residents.
Three of our four minibuses were purchased over a decade ago, two of which desperately now need replacing. We are fundraising to replace the oldest minibus at each home, one in Hastings, East Sussex and one in Deal, Kent.
Cost
With the replacement of two minibuses being a significant purchase for our charity, we are looking to fundraise to secure part or full cost of the new vehicles. Ideally we would love to purchase two brand new vehicles but we are aware this might not be achievable, so we will also be considering the purchase of slightly older secondhand vehicles. We estimate the cost to purchase two minibuses (secondhand or new) will be between £72,800 – £108,000. We anticipate the vehicles being in use for at least 10 years, during which time they will make many hundreds of journeys.
