INNER WHEEL SOUP & SANDWICH NIGHT
INNER WHEEL SOUP & SANDWICH NIGHT IN AID OF WHEELCHAIRS FOR KIDS
What a great night this was, many guests including President Mark & Kerry and President-Elect Rod Ferris. The food was delicious, of course, and as usual the Inner Wheel hospitality was second to none.
But the highlight of the evening was definitely the talk and demonstration of the wheelchairs. The original idea of making wheelchairs for impoverished, disabled children in developing countries came from a member of the Surfers Sunrise Rotary Club in Queensland, however in 1998 the Rotary Club of Scarborough, WA, adopted the concept and the project began.
From very humble beginnings there are now 100 volunteers mainly retired men and women who machine, assemble, quality control, box the wheelchair components and load the boxes into sea containers; other volunteers make cushion covers, rugs and a knitted or wooden toy which is usually greeted with wide eyes and a broad smile by the recipient!
The design of the wheelchair has changed over the years - the features of the current wheelchair include: solid polyurethane tyres so the mother does not have to worry about punctures or incur the cost of fixing them; a solid front wheel to allow easy steering and pushing on soft or sandy surfaces; a sturdy but light weight aluminium frame so the chair can easily be carried upstairs; a restraining belt to provide basic support for any occupant; a cushion; a blanket for a child's legs and a soft or wooden toy is given to each recipient, also tools required for assembling and maintaining the wheelchair.
Total number of wheelchairs gifted to date is 18158 into 61 countries, from 1 into Afghanistan, El Salvador, Singapore to 4528 into Vietnam.
Last year 1813 were gifted and currently orders are for Cambodia, the Solomon Islands and Vietnam. Approximately 300 wheelchairs are distributed per month and the target for this year is 3000. Each wheelchair costs $125.00.
Inner Wheel Bundoora has nominated Wheelchairs for Kids as our major project for this year.
INNER WHEEL SHOPPING TOUR
We are very disappointed to have to advise that the shopping tour has been cancelled due to insufficient numbers.