Playa del Carmen, MX – 90 people were the recipients of hope, dignity and freedom recently thanks to a group of caring individuals from the Fleetwood area of Surrey, BC. Affectionately known as ‘Friends of Fleetwood,’ the volunteers collaborated with the local community over the past several months to gather the necessary resources to sponsor the mobility aids.
Led by Douglas Tucker, a Regional Manager with the Overwaitea Food Group, the independent team of 10 travelled to Mexico in early November to deliver brand new, free wheelchairs to people in Playa Del Carmen and the surrounding area.
This delivery is the third one that Tucker’s group has completed in partnership with the Canadian Wheelchair Foundation (CWF). With the provision of each wheelchair estimated to positively affect an average of 10 people, the group has touched the lives of over 3,000 people through their tremendous efforts.
For this project, members of the Rotary Club of Playa del Carmen (Club Rotario Playa del Carmen), aided in identifying local residents to receive the wheelchairs and worked closely with the sponsors during the distribution. A needs assessment located individuals who were the most in need of one, but lacked the means or access to obtain a wheelchair.
For the first time, CWF was able to identify a reliable indigenous supplier to manufacture the wheelchairs in Mexico. The Fundacion Bertha O. de Osete was able to satisfy the rigorous standards required for the wheelchairs provided through CWF, enabling the inaugural project to be completed this year.
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.