Wheelchair loan Red Cross

The_mangler

For the past five years I have used Red Cross to provide a loan wheelchair for my mother for a week's holiday with us - there is no space to bring her chair with us so we have one delivered to the Park we stay at. For this excellent service, the initial payment was a donation, last year it went to £20 a week, today I have tried to order again to be told it is now £35 a week plus £5 collection and delivery because a holiday is classed as a social need. I have now decided to go with a private hire company who are arranging it for just £20 all inc. It seems a shame that a charity is doing this, I have happily paid £20 donation in the past but they are now more expensive than private companies so they will be missing out on (I imagine) much needed funds.

Just wondered if anyone else had any experience of this.

kingfisherblue

I haven't, but I did think about hiring a wheelchair from the Red Cross this year when we go on holiday, as it takes up so much room in the car. We were going to take a coach holiday, where the wheelchair isn't a problem because the coach company knows that we take it, but I found a great deal online and we're thinking of going on a different holiday now. it does mean driving thoguh, and my son's wheelchair takes up a decent amount of space int he boot.

I'll be interested to read other people's expereinces as well.

savemoney

I was about to ring them in Kings Lynn area to do to same thing as we are going away in July I dont mind picking it up.

Shopbility are

Manual Wheelchairs - £5 per day or £30 per week - returnable deposit required of £50.
Electric Wheelchair / Mobility Scooters - £7 per day or £40 per week - returnable deposit required of £100.

from email I got from them

Lum

I tried the red cross when my partner was due to come out of hospital after first becoming disabled. There would be a one month wait and all we could have was a transport chair. Not so good when you need to get to work on your own.

Ended up using Bridgend Wheelchair Hire who offered a decent rate and a reasonably decent chair. Think it was an Invacare Action 3+ for £30 a month.

stephief

We used Red Cross for a loan wheelchair earlier this year, we had it for six weeks and though they asked for x amount a week, we gave them a lot less. It did say it was a suggested donation not a price as such.

Mrs_Ryan

I borrowed a chair a few weeks ago when I just came out of hospital, I had it for just shy of a week and they charged me £5 (OH picked it up for me and delivered it back)

savemoney

I just rang red cross this morning and the cost is a donation, only drawback is you cant pre order them weeks/months before but a couple of days before hand, as they said they might have an emergency when some one needs only after coming out of hospital

tiajeni

If you, or your Mother or immediate family were serving, or are serving in the armed forces, the Royal British Legion will be able to help you with a wheelchair.
Just an idea which may be of assistance.

The_mangler

Many thanks for those replies, particularly the British Legion one which I will follow up.

I did have a response from the Area manager of the Red Cross - he basically said that holidays were now classed as social use therefore they were charging for use, but crisis loans were still donation based.

tiajeni

If you have any problems getting hold of the right people at the Legion, send me a private message and I will give you the contacts, which I probably should have done in hindsight.

Or follow this link for Somerset, they should put you in touch soonest.

http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/somerset/contact-us/

Good luck otherwise X

mooremountain

my neighbour was knocked off his bike last week, spent 5 days in hospital, metal plate and pins in hip, sent home with crutches!!!!!
Am looking for a wheelchair to borrow so he can get out as is a very active outdoors type person who always helps everyone. Now i want to help him. Can anyone help me find a wheelchair to borrow. We live RH6 area in north east surrey. Thankyou.