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Tesco’s staff and customers in Northampton raised thousands to fund the vehicle, during last year’s charity of the year partnership with the Red Cross.
The new vehicle will be used as part of the Red Cross’s dial-a-wheelchair service and will ensure the delivery of wheelchairs to vulnerable people across the county so they can stay mobile and independent.
Making a real difference
Wheelchairs are available on short-term loan for up to eight weeks to assist people who have recently come home from hospital, are recovering after an operation or injury, or for a holiday.
Kiran Chana, dial-a-wheelchair service manager, explained how a wheelchair loan made a huge difference to one family.
“We received a phone call from a hospital to say a young man from Northampton needed a wheelchair following a road traffic incident. His mother came to pick up the chair on her way to the hospital.
“When the mother arrived she was quite emotional, she explained her son had been badly injured in the car accident four months earlier and, due to the extent of his injuries, they thought he would not survive. When he did pull through, they then didn’t think he would walk as his legs were so badly damaged.
“When he managed to walk, the hospital said he would not get home for Christmas as they were unable to provide him with a wheelchair and he had to have one to be allowed home.
“With the wheelchair we were able to provide him, she was able to bring her son home. She was so thankful for the loan of the wheelchair and it was fantastic to see the difference our service made.”
Get involved
Justin Prescott, dial-a-wheelchair assistant co-ordinator for Northampton, said: “Our service makes a big difference to people, giving them back some of their independence. It can allow people to return home from hospital, get out in their community or spend time with relatives who need that extra bit of support.
“We are always looking for volunteers to help us with the cleaning, maintenance and delivery of equipment. If people think they can help they should get in touch. It is a really rewarding role.”
To volunteer with the dial-a-wheelchair service in Northampton contact Justin Prescott at jprescott@redcross.org.uk. | 
