Surrey, BC: More than 100 brand new wheelchairs arrived in Port Metro Vancouver in late October, destined for beneficiaries across Canada. The shipment has been made possible through the support of several corporate partners and philanthropic donors who came together on this initiative. Upon arrival an overwhelming response was received to a request for help from the 5 White Rock/South Surrey Rotary clubs who made short work of unloading the boxes into storage donated by the foundation’s landlord.
Despite Canada’s envied public health system, there are many individuals who for a number of reasons are unable to obtain the mobility aids they require. The foundation is now able to provide the wheelchairs to recipients who need a wheelchair but lack the resources to access one. Each gift of mobility is estimated to positively transform 10 lives, providing independence, dignity, freedom and hope for the future.
“We are deeply grateful for the helping hands and generous hearts of our wonderful partners,” said Executive Director, Christiana Flessner. “The Canadian Wheelchair Foundation has delivered over 35,000 wheelchairs to 41 countries around the world since 2003 on behalf of our sponsors, but in recent years the need across Canada has been growing, and we want to be able to respond to these requests.”
Background
The Canadian Wheelchair Foundation is an independent Canadian registered charity with the goal to deliver brand new, free wheelchairs to persons with physical disabilities throughout the world who are without mobility or the means to acquire a wheelchair. With a strong focus on developing and newly industrialized states, the Canadian Wheelchair Foundation continues to change the lives of people and communities with a gift that extends hope, dignity, opportunity and independence to all.