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The Surfers Sunrise Wheelchair Trust is sending a shipment of over 120 wheelchairs to Sri Lanka, a nation grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which tragically claimed 635 lives in late November.
Valluvan Thillairajah, volunteering with the Australian charity Vanni Hope, is actively involved in providing assistance to those impacted by the recent flooding in Sri Lanka.
Thillairajah is dedicated to delivering flood relief efforts in Sri Lanka, representing Vanni Hope.
Based in Melbourne, Thillairajah, who is pursuing a medical degree, expressed his heartfelt appreciation as a container with 121 wide-tyre wheelchairs is on its way, poised to enhance the mobility of some of the most vulnerable individuals in Sri Lanka.
The severe flooding has devastated much of Sri Lanka’s infrastructure, washing away roads and complicating access to affected areas.
Des La Rance has supervised wheelchair production for almost 30 years. Source: SBS / Matt Guest
La Rance’s idea to start the charity stemmed from a trip to Fiji in 1996.
“And she said: ‘I am going to town. I’ve never been to town’.”
Des La Rance said supporting a child with disability by giving them a wheelchair is a profoundly rewarding experience for him. Source: Supplied / Surfers Sunrise Rotary Club/Surfers Sunrise Wheelchair Trust
Almost 30 years later, La Rance still produces wheelchairs from dumped and unwanted bicycles.
And there is no shortage of raw materials, with more than 300,000 bicycles discarded every year, most of which end up in landfill.
A labour of love
For Wheelchair Trust chairman Geoff Croad, collecting and repurposing unwanted bikes is nothing short of a labour of love.
The Gold Coast-based trust has converted around 40,000 discarded bikes into wheelchairs. Source: SBS / Matt Guest
“There was one building in Surfers Paradise that had 40 to 50 bikes sitting in the basement,” Croad said.
“We have delivered them to 31 different countries in the world, across Asia and Africa and even to Ukraine,” he said. “And also through the Pacific, including Samoa and Fiji.”
The design has become so sought-after that Des La Rance said the charity is struggling to keep up with demand. Source: SBS / Matt Guest
The design has become so sought-after that La Rance said the charity is struggling to keep up with demand.
“I never imagined this at all,” he said.
The project produces 400 wheelchairs annually and hopes to double its capacity next year. Source: Supplied / Surfers Sunrise Rotary Club/Surfers Sunrise Wheelchair Trust
In countries with limited government support, many children with restricted mobility are excluded socially and from school — a situation this project helps to change.
