One of the UK’s most innovative walking aid companies has launched a scheme to improve access to mobility equipment around the world.
Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks is tackling the UK’s issue of wasted, unused and unwanted mobility aids by partnering with PhysioNet, a UK-based charity dedicated to refurbishing and redistributing the unwanted aids.
The initiative is in response to a report by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, revealing that almost one billion children and adults with disabilities worldwide and older people needing help to stay mobile are denied access to equipment.
“We wanted to introduce a scheme that not only changes the lives of people living with a disability, but also tackle the environmental issues caused by the disposal or discarding of these products,” said Amelia Peckham, CEO and Co-Founder of Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks, pictured above with volunteers at PhysioNet.
“There are millions of people globally who unfortunately don’t have access to mobility aids, and experience difficulties in obtaining preventative care and appropriate treatments. This scheme looks to change that.”
When purchasing a new walking stick or crutches from Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks, the company will send the necessary packaging for you to pack up and send your old walking aid, which will then be hand delivered to the team of volunteers at PhysioNet.
As the first scheme of its kind, the walking sticks are refurbished and undergo a series of safety checks by a qualified team of health professionals at PhysioNet to ensure they’re refurbished safely. Training manuals are then collated for the recipients to understand exactly how they should be used.
“We are delighted to be working with Amelia and Cool Crutches & Sticks,” said David Kaye, Chairman of PhysioNet.
“She shares our philosophy of matching redundant mobility equipment with people with disabilities in developing countries. Each month we send 40 containers of medical hardware and mobility items worldwide and we are very happy to be including Cool Crutches recycled items.”
Amelia, who suffered a spinal injury following a quad bike accident in 2005, founded Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks with her mother Clare to design comfortable, safe and stylish crutches and walking sticks that would reflect the personalities of people before their injury or disability.
To find out more go to www.coolcrutches.com
Comments