Paralympian inspires Lifestyle and Mobility store to donate much-needed wheelchairs to Ukraine
Mobility retailer Lifestyle and Mobility has teamed up with British Paralympian and disability campaigner Anne Wafula-Strike MBE to donate much-needed wheelchairs to Ukraine.
The retailer’s initiative ‘You Buy, We Donate’ is the result of partnership between the Paralympian and her charity Olympia Wafula Foundation, which normally helps people in Africa, to help provide as many wheelchairs to Ukraine.
Darren Macey, Business Development Manager at Lifestyle and Mobility, exclusively told THIIS: “We launched a donation part to our website, where anyone can donate as little as £5 to £195!
“Every £195 raised will pay for a wheelchair for Ukraine and we have pledged to match that donation with an extra wheelchair for every £195 raised.”
To get the the initiative started Lifestyle and Mobility handed over 10 wheelchairs to Anne Wafula-Strike MBE at its Harlow store last Friday, attracting the attention of an ITV news crew and local media.
Anne Wafula-Strike MBE, who competed for Team GB at two World Championships in wheelchair racing, is a good customer of Lifestyle and Mobility, explains Darren.
“She actually inspired us to do something good through her very own selfless act. She came in on International Wheelchair Day [1st March 2022] recently to purchase a wheelchair for Ukraine.
“A few days later we noticed on a Facebook post that her charity was looking for more wheelchairs. I think the whole world has been shocked at the devastation that is going on right now.”
The retailer is not making any money from the initiative, states Darren. He adds: “It’s our way to give something back to the Ukrainian people for the sacrifice they are going through. We can only pray that these horrendous attacks can end soon.”
Darren says that anyone with a wheelchair that they wish to donate, as long as its in good working order, can take them to one of Lifestyle and Mobility stores and staff at the store will ensure that it gets to the Olympia Wafula Foundation, who will be transporting these to the relief border.
Lifestyle and Mobility has stores in Basildon, Welwyn Garden City, Southend-on-Sea, Bournemouth and Harlow.
