Why does the Red Cross provide wheelchairs? 

Last updated 26 August 2025

Sprain your ankle? Recovering from a broken leg, operation or illness?

Many people don't know that in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, there's no official body that has to give you a wheelchair.

That's a pretty big gap in the system.

The Red Cross believes that everybody who needs a mobility aid, including a wheelchair, should be able to get one, for as long as they need it.

• Find out how you can hire a wheelchair from the Red Cross

Over 100 years of wheelchair hire

We’ve been loaning wheelchairs since the First World War. We helped both injured servicemen and the general population, long before the NHS even existed.

Since then, the service has grown. We are still the go-to organisation for short-term wheelchair hire across the UK. Our wheelchairs help people get around at home and go to follow-up medical appointments.

How does wheelchair hire work?

Over the years, we’ve made hiring a wheelchair as simple and affordable as possible.

Anybody can book online or on the phone and you can add any accessories you may need, like a cushion or stump support. We then deliver your wheelchair to you as quickly as we can – usually on the next weekday.

Returns are also easy to arrange. Just get in touch and we’ll book a collection for your wheelchair. We’re here to help when you need us.

Who pays for your wheelchair?

We charge a weekly fee to hire a wheelchair as well as a one-off delivery and collection cost. There are no extra charges or hidden costs. We can help with the cost of the wheelchair for anyone who can't afford it.

Every hire supports our work and helps us be there for people in crisis, both in the UK and worldwide. You can help others hire a wheelchair by making a one-off or regular donation.

• Find out more about funded wheelchair hire.