Disability charity hoping to obtain all-terrain wheelchairs

DISABILITY Shetland is bidding for funding to enable it to buy all-terrain wheelchairs to allow people with physical disabilities to enjoy access to the islands’ beaches and coastline.

It is one of three groups shortlisted for a cash award in the latest round of Tesco’s “bags of help” initiative. The supermarket puts money from the sale of carrier bags to local community projects with grants of up to £4,200, £2,000 and £1,000 awarded based on the votes of customers.

Stephanie Bain of Disability Shetland said the charity wanted to provide the wheelchairs to give those with disabilities equal access to the “more challenging terrain of our beautiful islands”.

“In Shetland we have many beautiful beaches, nature reserves and coastline,” she said. “Unfortunately it can be very difficult for someone who has a physical disability to access any kind of off-road environment due to the design of their wheelchair, their walking stick/frame or due to their sensory impairment.

“We would like to purchase one or two all-terrain wheelchairs which people can borrow to enable them to go to the beach, hike up the hills, trek through the forests or follow the coastline.

“These chairs will improve the lives of people with disabilities and prevent exclusion and isolation.”

Voting is open at Tesco’s Lerwick store throughout January and February, with customers casting their vote using a token dished out at checkouts.