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LEADING BUSINESS MANAGED BY EX STOKE CITY FOOTBALLER WELCOMES TGA MOBILITY SCOOTER “BREEZE BRIGADE”
Aug 24th
The TGA ‘Breeze Brigade’ in convoy outside Amorcare in Newcastle-under-Lyme High Street
The Amorcare mobility store based in Newcastle-under-Lyme’s High Street, is bucking the current economic trend with increased sales and has recently played host to a growing group of characterful mobility scooter users, who all own the same TGA Breeze style scooter known as the ‘Breeze Brigade’.
Andy Morgan, aged 50 and born locally in Silverdale, is the co-owner of Amorcare Mobility Stores and before setting up this business with his wife Nicky (41 from Kidsgrove), he played professional football for Stoke City and gained an international cap for Wales. Following his time at Stoke FC he played all around the world and then became their Community Manager for over 10 years followed by 8 years at Wolverhampton Wanderers in a similar role. Today, Andy and Nicky are proud owners of Amorcare, which is a very successful mobility specialist that really makes a difference to the lives of many elderly and less able locals. Even in these tough times for high street shops, Amorcare continues to go from strength-to-strength through its caring approach. Andy explains: “We were delighted to invite the ‘Breeze Brigade’ to our showroom last weekend to say thanks for their support and to celebrate their new found freedom. Many local people living with restricted mobility are continually discovering the extensive benefits of owning a quality, comfortable and reliable scooter such as one from the TGA Breeze range. This particularly eye-catching scooter is proving to be one of the most popular in the Newcastle area and the ‘Breeze Brigade’ as they have been nicknamed continues to grow.”
Andy and Nicky established Amorcare in 2009 following 18 months of extensive research into the provision of independent living products locally. They found that after sales care was severely lacking and hence decided to set up their business firmly based upon a service level that people could truly rely upon. Nicky comments: “As I had previously worked in the care sector for over 10 years, we had the perfect grounding for setting up Amorcare with a clear focus on professionally assessing peoples’ needs. This ensures whatever mobility product they purchase from us, whether it is a TGA mobility scooter known as the ‘Mercedes of the industry’ or simply a small walking-stick ferrule, our customers have peace of mind that it will really solve their personal mobility issues. Even our company name was derived from this caring approach – ‘Amor’ means love and ‘care’, well, means care! This attitude to our customers has really made an impact and all the members of the Breeze Brigade perfectly illustrate how mobility products can change peoples’ lives. This specific group is typical of our customer base as they are all great characters, always have amazing stories to tell and add real vibrancy to the community. Before owning a TGA Breeze several members were housebound and could not simply venture down the street, which was very sad. I’m glad to say now though they are free to venture wherever they like in the knowledge their chosen scooter is safe and sturdy. We are very attached to our customers and regularly go and visit them for either a cup of tea or to call the Bingo numbers at local care homes.
We hope the newly formed ‘Breeze Brigade’ continues to grow and we look forward to helping even more local people regain their independence. The Breeze from TGA is such an outstanding mobility scooter on so many levels as it recently won the International Red Dot Design Award 2011. Hence I recommend it time and again to customers looking for a scooter.”
Amorcare takes its corporate social responsibilities seriously and is a supporter of the regional Air Ambulance and Macmillan Breast Cancer charities whilst regularly donating prizes at local fundraisers. Both Nicky and Andy will be participating in a Breast Cancer fundraising event in October and currently sponsor a local Sunday league football team.
Tim Ross, National Sales Manager for the UK’s leading mobility scooter company TGA concludes: “Here at TGA we are delighted that our dealer Amorcare is doing so well. Nicky and Andy deliver such a fantastic, caring service which is so important when helping elderly and less able communities. Supplying quality, reliable mobility products such as the Breeze is of utmost importance hence they choose TGA, however if this is not supported by personal assessments, impartial advice and genuine professional expertise, then individuals’ welfare can be compromised by using the wrong type of product. As TGA provides such a comprehensive range of mobility scooters, owners can drive away with a machine that exactly meets their specific requirements through the specialist guidance and advice of Amorcare. With the recently named ‘Breeze Brigade’, we hope that Amorcare continues to raise awareness about the superb independent living solutions available these days and the huge improvement they make to peoples’ lives.”
Follow TGA on Twitter: tgamobility
TGA is based in Sudbury, Suffolk and has been a respected designer, manufacturer and provider of mobility products for 25 years with a specialty in scooters. TGA is renowned for its high quality, diverse range that includes the ever-popular Eclipse car boot scooter through to the funky cutting edge Vita and market-leading wheelchair Powerpack. As a family-run business, TGA is dedicated to quality, innovation and service with all of its products undergoing rigorous testing before delivery ensuring peace of mind.
Motability’s Billy the Bear rides a TGA!
Aug 4th
Motability’s Billy the Bear rides a new TGA Breeze 4 at the Motability One Big Day event in Colchester, July 2011
Motability’s mascot Billy the Bear couldn’t resist trying out a new TGA Mobility Breeze S4 scooter at the Motability One Big Day event, Weston Homes Community Stadium Colchester last week. He met up with Arwen Wilson, Barry Watts and Simon Bensilum from TGA Mobility who were busy showcasing their quality and nationally well-known mobility scooters to the local people of Essex and surrounding areas.
Arwen comments: “As TGA is only based a few miles down the road in Sudbury, Suffolk, this Motability event has proved to be another success for us following our appearance at the Stoneleigh One Big Day in June. The day has been fantastic for exhibitors and organisers alike with plentiful visitors attending the event to discover the very latest in mobility products available through the Motability scheme. These events give us the ideal opportunity, without selling, to engage with end users and discuss individual needs in detail whilst demonstrating the latest scooters we offer. The New Breeze S4 scooter we had on display has just won a very prestigious international product design award and when Billy saw it, he couldn’t wait to have a go! We look forward to hearing about the next Motability One Big Day and thank the organisers for delivering such a positive event for us and many new potential customers.”
Motability’s One Big Day events:
Hosted by Motability, the organisation that provides funding assistance with cars, mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs for disabled people, this One Big Day event was part of a series of free exhibitions that have taken place each summer for the past three years. Over 12,000 people to date have enjoyed the many features these events offer which include the opportunity to see, test and compare a wide range of cars, adaptations, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs all available through Motability.
Anyone who receives the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement can simply exchange this weekly payment – currently around £50 a week – for a new car, mobility scooter or powered wheelchair through Motability. This free Essex event offered disabled people the opportunity to meet local dealers, Motability advisors and professional driving instructors first hand along with mobility scooter specialists such as TGA. Based only a few miles from Colchester, TGA displayed four examples from their extensive UK-leading range that included the new feature-rich Breeze S4, eye-catching funky Vita 4, ever-popular ‘Harley Davidson’ Supersport and the flexible Eclipse car-boot scooter.
For further information on Motability One Big Day events, please visit:
TGA MOBILITY’S ‘CHARITY DAREDEVIL’ ARWEN WILSON HELPS RAISE OVER £4K SKYDIVING FOR STROKE ASSOCIATION
Jul 26th
TGA Mobility’s Arwen Wilson from Sudbury successfully completes her tandem skydive on 23rd July in Northamptonshire in aid of The Stroke Association.
Following her fire-walking fundraiser earlier this year, Arwen Wilson (26), TGA Mobility’s Telesales Supervisor from Sudbury Suffolk braved the odds by skydiving from 12,000ft to help raise over £4,000 for The Stroke Association on 23rd July in Northamptonshire.
Back in February, Arwen joined around 60 locals at the Valentine’s Fire-walk at Bury St. Edmunds Rugby Club and helped raise over £17,000 for the local Stroke Association. She is very passionate about this charity and has continued the support TGA Mobility as a whole have shown over the last year on a local level. Meeting the fire-walking Guinness World Record Holder Scott Bell at this previous event along with many fantastic Suffolk residents, immediately inspired Arwen to plan her next charity stunt. The group skydive took place on Hinton Airfield near Brackley, Northamptonshire and was attended by an impressive number of families, supporters and well wishers.
Arwen comments: ‘The local branch of The Stroke Association, ‘Success After Stroke’ are a fantastic group of volunteers who make a real pro-active difference to so many less able individuals. I felt compelled to continue the fundraising and hence joined around 40 other tandem skydivers who were all jumping for the same charity. I personally raised over £300 that has contributed to the overall £4,000 raised, which could be nearer £5,000 when all online collections are in according to The Stroke Association. The weird thing is, is that I didn’t feel nervous all the way through the jump, even sat on the edge of the plane. It was only after the actual event in the afternoon when it hit me what I had just done. When I began my free-fall I screamed a little bit but managed to take in the awesome view, as the weather was so clear and sunny. What a rush! As you dive it seems such a long time before the parachute opens however it probably is only a matter of seconds and feels like sprinting on a windy day. From take off to landing back on terra-firma only took 20 minutes so this amazing time was over in a flash and I will definitely do it again.”
As a leading local employer, TGA takes its Corporate Social Responsibilities very seriously and regularly supports charity events that assist people living with restricted mobility. Tim Ross, TGA National Sales Manager concludes: “I congratulate Arwen on yet another fantastic achievement and her positive attitude to fundraising for The Stroke Association. As a business we help many individual’s regain independence after a stroke however when mobility is severely restricted, The Stroke Association deliver superb levels of support so people can enjoy the best lifestyle possible. Following our recent support of the Peterborough Royal British Legion at The Mobility Roadshow, this charity skydive by Arwen is a prime example of what can be achieved through single-minded determination and an unselfish approach to life – well done Miss Wilson!”
Quirky Terry Pratchett inventor and artist known as ‘Leonard da Quirm’ regains inspiration thanks to a TGA mobility scooter
Jul 14th
1. Avid Terry Pratchett fan, friend and inventor Roy Saunders on his beloved TGA Breeze 4 Mobility Scooter. 2. One of the eccentric, Discworld-inspired mechanical devices Roy invents – ‘Headlamp for Donkeys using Glowstones.’ 3. Sir Terry Pratchett OBE – the best-selling English novelist of the 1990’s
Quirky Terry Pratchett inventor and artist known as ‘Leonard da Quirm’ regains inspiration thanks to a TGA mobility scooter
Roy Saunders aged 70 from High Green, Sheffield, is a talented individual who is a friend of Terry Pratchett and an avid fan of his books and even though living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, he can continue his art and inventing thanks to a TGA Breeze 4 mobility scooter.
Roy is nicknamed ‘Leonard da Quirm’ who is an eccentric character from Terry Pratchett novels and similar to his fictional counterpart, he beautifully illustrates, invents and builds quirky mechanical devices that operate in ‘a world where electricity and the internal combustion engine have not yet been invented’. Using his arts and technical drawing background, Roy passionately invents these ‘pre-industrial revolution type’ tools as a hobby and to complement his extensive Terry Pratchett memorabilia collection. Sir Terry Pratchett OBE is a world-leading and extremely well recognised English novelist best known for his popular and long-running Discworld series of comic fantasy novels. He has sold over 65 million books worldwide in 37 languages and was the UK’s best selling author in the 1990’s. He is currently the second most-read writer in the UK, and seventh most-read non-US author in the United States. These remarkable works have fascinated Roy for decades and from several meetings with Sir Terry, he has been inspired to create some extraordinary inventions that are true to the Discworld concept. However as Roy’s mobility became progressively more restrictive, he needed a solution that would help him continue displaying his inventions at specialist conventions and mixing with fellow Terry Pratchett fans. The TGA Breeze 4 mobility scooter was the answer.
Roy explains: ‘My TGA mobility scooter aka ‘HMS Argent’ which stands for ‘Highly Mobile Scooter’ has changed my life. As unfortunately I have had Adrenal Cancer and now live with COPD, Angina and Gall Stones, my lifestyle and hobbies were becoming very restrictive, especially as I live up a very steep hill. Also being 6’ 6” and 15 stone I had considered a mobility scooter but thought I may look like I was riding a fairy cycle until seeing a Breeze! My Dobermann dog Kaiser was also desperate for more time outside however taking him for a walk was impossible with my condition. That was until I discovered the robust and powerful Breeze from TGA. I needed a scooter that was pretty much all-terrain and had trusted reliability so I ultimately had peace of mind when out and about. With this scooter that has proven performance, I am now able to continue as Vice Chairmen of the local Resident’s Association and enjoy freedom outdoors whilst displaying my Discworld inventions at camping conventions.”
Roy continues: “I like to play with engineering, physics, electronics and chemistry in any combination, for every problem there is a solution, it may not be the best one but it works! Terry Pratchett’s stories have intrigued me for many years and through many inspirational meetings with him, I have been compelled to creative some wonderful inventions which are true to the ethos of his books. I admire Terry’s well documented fight against his Alzheimer’s and the marvelous work he undertakes to help find a cure to this terrible disease.”
Roy owns a TGA Breeze 4 mobility scooter, which is one of the most popular models in the UK. As his local area is so hilly, Roy needs a scooter that has the performance to cope with steep inclines and his beloved Breeze 4 has an impressive travel range of up to 30 miles on one battery charge.
In addition to his inventing, Roy is currently campaigning for accessibility rights for all mobility scooter users on the new Sheffield tram-train system which is currently under construction. If only Terry Pratchett’s Discworld was a reality, then Roy would have no problems inventing a quirky solution to train accessibility that was both practical and fun!
TGA MOBILITY’S NEW BREEZE S3 AND S4 WIN PRESTIGIOUS 2011 RED DOT INTERNATIONAL DESIGN AWARD
Jul 12th
The new TGA Breeze S3 and S4 mobility scooters, which have won the 2011 Red Dot International Product Design Award.
TGA, the UK leading specialist in quality mobility scooters, is delighted to announce that its new Breeze S3 and S4 and the Israeli manufacturer, Afikim, have recently won the International Red Dot Product Design Award for 2011 in the category of Life Science and Medicine.
Alongside other successful world-class brands such as Apple, Mercedes-Benz and Rolls Royce, the TGA Breeze S3 and S4 mobility scooters were officially accredited as winners during the spectacular awards ceremony held at the Aalto-Theater in Essen, Germany on 4th July. The Red Dot Design Award is an international, commercial prize awarded by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen with categories for product design, design agencies, and design concepts. Since 1955, designers and manufacturers have submitted entries with successful products being displayed in the Red Dot Design Museum on the premises of the historical Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen. Every year this awards scheme has more than 11,000 submissions from 61 countries and the Breeze was one of few successful entries in the Industrial Product Design classification. Independently tested in top-secret by the Red Dot panel of experts in Germany, the Breeze S4 underwent a series of extreme trials during December 2010 and January 2011 which resulted in the first mobility scooter winning in over 10 years. The assessment process involved rigorous examinations of all the components to ascertain manufacturing quality, testing of the scooter’s performance and comfort levels, evaluation of functionality and ease-of-use and finally an overall review of incorporated features.
Shachar Hillel, Marketing Manager for Afikim who manufacture the TGA Breeze S4 explained: “Afikim have operated from the second largest Kibbutz in Israeli since the early 1980’s and have always invested heavily in R&D. Product quality, reliability and ergonomics are so important in the design of mobility scooters to ensure the end user remains comfortable, can easily control themselves and ultimately experiences the smoothest ride possible. Every generation of Breeze scooter has pushed the boundaries in terms of product innovation and when our design team suggested we should enter the latest marque in the international Red Dot awards, I felt we had a extremely good chance of winning. The new Breeze had already won an industrial product award from the local Israeli Government Office in April, however this international platform was going to be a different level. Bearing in mind the world-leading brands that are associated with the Red Dot, the Breeze would have to impress on all levels to be successful.”
Shachar continues: “Our customers here in Israeli, the UK and across many regions of the world totally depend on their Breeze mobility scooter for independence outside of the home. Hence product design that delivers ease of use, durability and peace of mind is absolutely essential and this is why the Breeze S4 is so popular worldwide. When you consider the vulnerability of our end-users, ethically we have to ensure our products incorporate the very best in mobility technology which has resulted in over two million Euros being invested into the development of the latest Breeze S3 and S4. Winning the Red Dot award is an absolute privilege for us and I would like to thank the whole Afikim team for their hard work on this project. We will continue our mission to continually innovate in the mobility sector and hope that this independent esteemed award is a clear indication to all of how remarkable the Breeze is, in terms of product design, looks and overall user experience.”
Launched in the UK in April at Naidex National, the Breeze S3 and S4 have already proved exceptionally popular with TGA customers. Continuing the established and renowned Breeze heritage, these new models continue to lead the sector as they provide levels of freedom and peace of mind unsurpassed in the current marketplace. Now as an internationally recognised award winning, this trend is set to increase across the UK and beyond with the Breeze becoming first choice for hassle-free mobility in every respect.
Royal British Legion to support TGA Mobility’s 2011 Summer Showroom Sale
Jul 11th
Tim Ross, TGA National Sales Manager (left) with Simon Angel MBE on his robust Breeze 4 mobility scooter, which was especially sprayed in his Regimental colours for the epic fundraiser back in April.
Following their recent support of The Royal British Legion (RBL) and MS War Hero Simon Angel at the Mobility Roadshow in Peterborough, TGA have decided once again to invite members of the charity to collect donations at their Summer Showroom Sale with a percentage of TGA profits also going to the RBL. (Woodhall Business Park, Sudbury – 20th – 22nd July, 9am-5pm.)
TGA Mobility considers the work of the RBL absolutely essential which has compelled the business to donate 5% of all profits from the showroom sale to the charity. Collection tins will also be available for the general public to donate as they browse around the many quality mobility scooters on offer and whilst meeting several local RBL representatives. Daniel Stone, TGA Managing Director comments: “Once again we are delighted to be working with the British Legion to raise funds for injured ex servicemen and women. Simon Angel’s 900-mile Rally for Remembrance on one of our Breeze 4 mobility scooters was a huge success earlier in the year and it is fantastic that fundraising momentum has continued following this epic voyage. In addition to members of the RBL being in attendance, our Summer Showroom Sale is always very popular with less able Suffolk residents as it provides an ideal opportunity for them to not only grab a bargain, but to discuss their mobility needs for free with our in-house specialists. With quality nearly new and ex-demo TGA mobility scooters from as little as £195, visitors to our showroom will be able to take advantage of some great deals. Our new Breeze S4 will also be on display which is the latest version of the mobility scooter that Simon Angel used to successfully travel over 900-miles without any hassle during his 30-day fundraiser back in April. Complementing this national favourite, the eye-catching funky TGA Vita, the compact and flexible car boot Eclipse scooter and the renowned ‘Harley Davidson style’ Supersport will be available for test drives.”
Simon Angel, aged 46 from Pembury, was a member of the Royal Engineers for 22 years and has served all around the world with front line experience in Northern Ireland and during the Gulf War, which lead to an MBE from The Queen in 2000. During a period of convalescence at Tyrwhitt House where he was treated for Combat Stress, he conceived the idea of his ‘Rally for Remembrance’ whilst talking to fellow ex-military personnel. Simon now lives with severe MS triggered by his wartime traumas however his medical condition did not hold him back from completing this remarkable achievement. During April this year, he travelled the complete length of Britain on a mobility scooter kindly loaned by TGA Mobility and raised nearly £10k for The Royal British Legion (RBL) and another military charity. Simon completed this remarkable journey ahead of schedule and managed to travel the whole distance in just 30 days. Since April, Simon has continued to collect donations and following his recent appearance at The Mobility Roadshow, his charitable funds have now topped £15k.
Daniel Stone concludes: As this special event promises to be very successful as it is every year, we felt it would be the ideal time to add to the total raised by Simon for the British Legion through our business donating a percentage of profits. The voluntary community fundraisers for the British Legion and the Poppy Appeal are a real inspiration and we thoroughly enjoyed supporting them at the Roadshow last week.”
The TGA Mobility Summer showroom sale runs from 20th – 22nd July, 9am-5pm at: TGA Electric Leisure Limited, Woodhall Business Park, Sudbury Suffolk CO10 1WH. Telephone: +44(0)1787 882244 for further details
MS War Hero Simon Angel MBE tops £15k of donations supported by TGA and Royal British Legion at 2011 Mobility Roadshow
Jul 5th
MS War Hero Simon Angel MBE (centre), who travelled from John O’Groats to Land’s End on a TGA Breeze 4 Mobility Scooter to raise funds for injured troops, appears at The 2011 Mobility Roadshow with members of the Peterborough Royal British Legion and Judith Armstrong, RBL Eastern Regional Fundraising Manager (right).
With the support of TGA Mobility and British Legion members from Peterborough, Simon Angel MBE has now raised over £15k for injured troops from his 900-mile TGA mobility scooter challenge during April and his recent appearance at the Mobility Roadshow (30th June, 1st and 2nd July, East of England Showground, Peterborough).
Simon Angel, aged 46 from Pembury, was a member of the Royal Engineers for 22 years and has served all around the world with front line experience in Northern Ireland and during the Gulf War, which lead to an MBE from The Queen in 2000. During a period of convalescence at Tyrwhitt House where he was treated for Combat Stress, he conceived the idea of his ‘Rally for Remembrance’ whilst talking to fellow ex-military personnel. Simon now lives with severe MS triggered by his wartime traumas however his medical condition did not hold him back from completing this remarkable achievement. During April this year, he travelled the complete length of Britain on a mobility scooter kindly loaned by TGA Mobility and raised nearly £10k for The Royal British Legion (RBL) and another military charity. Simon completed this remarkable journey ahead of schedule and managed to travel the whole distance in just 30 days. Since April, Simon has continued to collect donations and following his recent appearance at The Mobility Roadshow, his charitable funds have now topped £15k.
Simon explains: “TGA invited the Royal British Legion and myself along to the Mobility Roadshow as they felt my Rally for Remembrance and the charity’s invaluable work would be of great interest to the many visitors who attend the event. Throughout the whole endeavor back in April, I would say that myself and my support vehicle driver were not the heroes, it was the RBL members who were fantastic the whole voyage and of course my trusty TGA Breeze 4 Mobility Scooter. Considering the challenging terrain and weather we encountered from John O’Groats to Land’s End, plus my medical condition, I was extremely impressed with the reliability and comfort of the Breeze, as it didn’t break down once. Travelling up to 34 miles per day on one charge and completing a grueling 900 miles with only one puncture – if you are looking for a scooter that has passed an extreme product test with flying colour – this is it! Whilst sitting back on my TGA Breeze 4 at the Roadshow, with its body molding specially sprayed in my Regiment’s colours, all the memories came flooding back as I relayed my experiences to the visiting public. I would like to thank both TGA Mobility and the RBL for all their support during the Rally for Remembrance. Without their help I’m pretty sure the challenge would never have become a reality and these funds would never have been achieved. It was a real pleasure working with them all and I am already thinking about my next challenge to raise money for fellow injured service men and women.”
Daniel Stone, TGA Managing Director comments: “I continue to admire both Simon Angel and the RBL in terms of their positive and get-up-and-go attitudes. Without their vital efforts, many valued war veterans would not be able to experience rehabilitation or improved quality of life which is so important for all concerned. Along with Simon and his wife, we were delighted to welcome all the RBL volunteers from the Peterborough branch to our joint outside stand this year and to meet Judith Armstrong (RBL Eastern Regional Fundraising Manager). Inside the main exhibition hall, our main stand was as busy as ever with high levels of interest in our product showcase which included the new version of the mobility scooter, which delivered 100% reliability to Simon – the TGA Breeze S4. A great show all round and I wish the very best of luck to Simon and the RBL with their continued fundraising activities.”
Judith Armstrong, RBL Eastern Regional Fundraising Manager concludes: “It never ceases to amaze me how people like Simon come up with these wonderful ideas to raise money for the Royal British Legion. It really is amazing that with health problems of his own, he is still prepared to spend time and a great deal of effort raising funds that will be used to support many of those returning from Afghanistan that request help from the Royal British Legion. I thoroughly enjoyed attending the Mobility Roadshow this year and meeting Simon face-to-face – he is a true inspiration to us all.”
TGA TO SHOWCASE UK-LEADING MOBILITY SCOOTERS AT FREE COLCHESTER MOTABILITY EVENT
Jun 29th
TGA offer the widest range of quality mobility scooters in the UK. Four examples from this range will be on show at Motability One Big Day, Weston Homes Community Stadium Colchester, Thursday 28 July 2011, 11am–4pm.
Renowned mobility specialists TGA from Sudbury are delighted to announce they will be displaying several of their market-leading scooters at the free Motability One Big Day event to be held at Weston Homes Community Stadium Colchester, Thursday 28 July 2011, 11am–4pm.
Hosted by Motability, the organisation that provides funding assistance with cars, mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs for disabled people, this One Big Day event is part of a series of free exhibitions that have taken place each summer for the past three years. Over 12,000 people to date have enjoyed the many features these events offer which include the opportunity to see, test and compare a wide range of cars, adaptations, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs all available through Motability. Anyone who receives the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement can simply exchange this weekly payment – currently around £50 a week – for a new car, mobility scooter or powered wheelchair through Motability. This free Essex event offers disabled people the opportunity to meet local dealers, Motability advisors and professional driving instructors first hand along with mobility scooter specialists such as TGA. Based only a few miles from Colchester, TGA will be displaying four example models from their extensive UK-leading range that include the new feature-rich Breeze S4, eye-catching funky Vita 4, ever-popular ‘Harley Davidson’ Supersport and the flexible Eclipse car-boot scooter.
Daniel Stone, TGA Managing Director explains: “TGA believes the Motability scheme is vital for so many less able people as it gives them an easy way to regain invaluable independence. We are delighted that Motability invited us to exhibit at this particular event and feel confident the TGA range being showcased will prove popular with visitors as they continue to do nationwide. We plan to display four models that span our extensive range which include the recently launched next generation Breeze 4 which pulled in the crowds at Naidex National back in April. The TGA team looks forward to personally discussing individual mobility needs with visitors and under the guidance of Motability, we feel this event should be a success.”
Every visitor to the One Big Day event in Colchester will receive a free copy of the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain as well as family entertainment, free tea and coffee and the chance to win £500 of ‘Love2shop’ vouchers. Parking is free at each event and mobility scooters and wheelchairs will be available for hire.
For further details, visit: www.motabilityevents.co.uk/onebigday
TGA MOBILITY SCOOTER GIVES ARTISTIC FREEDOM BACK TO DISABLED WAR VETERAN PHOTOGRAPHER
Jun 22nd
Ernie Taylor from Hackney North London is a disabled war veteran and ex-professional photographer who has been able to continue his passion for photography thanks to the assistance of a rugged TGA Breeze 4 mobility scooter.
Ernie Taylor from Hackney North London is a disabled war veteran and ex-professional photographer who has been able to continue his passion for photography thanks to the assistance of a rugged TGA Breeze 4 mobility scooter.
Ernie was injured back in 1974 when a milk churn bomb detonated near his patrol whilst serving in Northern Ireland as a member of the 3rd Battalion The Light Infantry. This terrible experience and resultant injuries were compounded by the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and shell shock, which unfortunately resulted in Ernie retiring with honours from the armed forces. Military bravery had always run in Ernie’s family with his Great Grandfather being awarded two George Medals, one in each of the World Wars and was to continue in the future with his Nephew, Steven Campbell being tragically killed in Afghanistan in 2010 whilst serving in the 2nd Battalion The Rifles. With early discharge from the army, Ernie faced a crossroads in his life and decided that he would pursue his life-long passion for photography as a full-time job. Ernie’s resultant photographic career gave him the opportunity to shoot all across the world including the majority of Europe and countries such as Sweden, Morocco and Sierra Leone. However with the devastating news that he had a tumour on his brainstem that led to a stroke in 2007, Ernie was left wondering whether he would ever be able to capture life from behind the lens ever again.
Now living with PTSD, restricted mobility and unable to work, Ernie desperately needed to find the means to venture outside of home so he could continue fulfilling his life as much as possible. Being house bound for now well over a year and with the terrible news that his Nephew had been lost in active service, Ernie felt he had to find some way of leaving home and paying his respects at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday 2010. Through Motability and TGA Mobility pulling out all the stops, they managed to fast track a scooter to him in a matter of days so that he could attend the march with fellow veterans and remember fallen comrades. This day represented a new beginning for Ernie as freedom had returned to his life and his passion for photography could begin again.
When asked about why he enjoys photography so much Ernie replies: “Even since I decided to stop smoking and use the money to purchase my first camera I have been hooked on photography. I get an immense buzz from seeing my compositions and everyday I know, whatever the weather, there are pictures out there waiting for me. Being able to experience the fresh air is so important for me these days and photography helps me stay positive and healthy which has only been possible thanks to my TGA Breeze 4. This fantastic, rugged piece of kit has no problems with negotiating the off-road terrain I like to drive on so I can achieve my dramatic rural shots. It has an impressive 30-mile radius on one charge and is so easy to control even though I have no movement down my left side. I totally depend on my Breeze for independence outside the home and its proven reliability and performance gives me total peace of mind. Since living with restricted mobility, I have shot over 20,000 images and now I have the wheels to do even more thanks to TGA.”
Ernie currently uses two cameras for his work, a Fuji Finepix S100FS for speed and a HS20EXR for slower images with greater definition and quality. Both of these cameras have a flip-up screen, as Ernie can’t keep a steady eye on the viewfinder anymore. Favourite photo-shoot locations around the world for Ernie have included a waterfall near Dephi in Greece, The Pillars of Hercules in Morocco and Gibraltar, Kasteel Terworm in Holland, Gamla stan in Stockholm and the jungles of Sierra Leone. The latter Ernie says were by far the most rewarding but also extremely challenging especially when encountering so many snakes! He has exhibited his work at the Off Broadway Gallery, Broadway Market, London and following such impressive reviews, he is currently looking for other opportunities to display his work.
REVOLUTIONARY JEWISH LAW COMPLIANT SHABBAT MOBILITY SCOOTER DELIVERS FREEDOM TO 92-YR-OLD ALBERT
Jun 8th
92-year-old Albert Rosenberg from North West London is a remarkable character whose life has been transformed since owning a new Halachically authorised TGA Mobility scooter that can be driven during Shabbat and Jewish holidays
92-year-old Albert Rosenberg from North West London is a remarkable character whose life has been transformed since owning a new Halachically authorised mobility scooter that can be driven during Shabbat and Jewish holidays.
Albert is amazing for his age however he still unfortunately lives with restrictive mobility and needed a scooter to help him visit his local Synagogue. Nevertheless, due to Jewish law he was not allowed to use a mobility scooter until he discovered the Shabbat controller from TGA. Many of TGA Mobility’s models including Albert’s Superlight, are engineered in Israel by the leading specialist – Afikim Electric Vehicles. Operating from within a Kibbutz since 1987, the quality of its products is renowned worldwide and the Shabbat controller reflects its ethos for innovation, technical excellence and ultimately hassle-free independence for the end user.
Halachically authorised and certified by Zomet, scooters with the Shabbat controller are the only electronically powered mobility products permitted to be driven by elderly and disabled Jewish individuals on Shabbat and holidays. When Albert activates his Shabbat controller it utilises a separate circuit board, which results in steady acceleration with no throttle lever activation required by the user. This initial process is considered an ‘indirect action’ and because the motor relay circuit was changed whilst in Shabbat mode, varying the voltage to the motor by the throttle lever and hence altering speed during motion, is not considered a violation of the Shabbat principle. The Shabbat controller is also used for turning the scooter on or off and for changing direction.
Albert enjoys life so much more now as he has improved independence and the ability to visit the Synagogue. He comments: “I think this Shabbat controller is fantastic and I would recommend it all fellow people in the Jewish community who need assistance with mobility. Being able to venture outside my home is so important especially with peace of mind both in terms of my faith and scooter reliability and I would like to thank TGA for helping me in both respect.”
Daniel Stone, TGA Managing Director comments: “TGA and our Israeli partners Afikim have invested extensive R&D in the Shabbat controller to ensure it complies with Orthodox Jewish Law. Albert is one of numerous individuals who have benefited from the Shabbat controller since its launch last year and we are pleased to have satisfied Halacha whilst continuing to meet the growing need for independence.”
The new Shabbat Mobility Scooters from TGA were featured in the Jewish Chronicle: http://tinyurl.com/2vgk8qa
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