In June of 2000, philanthropist Ken Behring established the Wheelchair Foundation to deliver wheelchairs to people without mobility worldwide.
Well over 100,000 wheelchairs have been delivered to more than 100 countries, and Rotary Clubs and Districts have become an integral part of this distribution effort. Since March of 2001, Rotarians have sponsored the delivery of over 50,000 wheelchairs to more than 50 countries.
Children can now go to school, adults can work and provide for their families, and the elderly can once again be a part of society.
The Rotary Club of Gosford West helped to establish Wheelchair Foundation Australia as their international service project, to provide free wheelchairs to disabled people in the Australian and Western Pacific regions.
In February of 2003, Gosford West President Tony Mylan and members Harry Melkonian, Graham Allen, Lyall Hood, Mary Hood, and Donald Sullens traveled to Papua New Guinea for the distribution of 240 wheelchairs that were delivered to Port Moresby by sea container, directly from the factory in China. Over a 5 day period, the Gosford West Rotarians participated in wheelchair distributions in Port Moresby, Gaire, and Wewak.
From the early years of the 20th century, Papua New Guinea had been administered by Australia up until its independence in 1975. During World War II, Australians bravely liberated the country from hostile occupation, and in doing so, found great allies in the indigenous people. Stories told since the 1940’s recant the support and friendship that Australian troops received from the New Guinea people. It is this same support and friendship that Australian Rotarians have been giving back to the citizens of Papua New Guinea for many years.
David Conn is a member of the Rotary Club of Boroko, PNG and an official of the Friends of the Disabled Association in Port Moresby. The Boroko club has been very involved for many years in distributing aid to the disabled of Papua New Guinea and served as the Wheelchair Foundation Australia’s Non-governmental organization (NGO), able to import and properly distribute the wheelchairs to the people in need. The Rotary Club of Boroko is now the Wheelchair Foundation’s official NGO for Papua New Guinea.
The wheelchairs being delivered in 5 sizes are designed to be easily usable and maintainable in developing countries. This type of folding wheelchair would normally sell for about $600.00 AUD in Australia. But for a donation of only $120.00 AUD, we can deliver a wheelchair to a person in need, because of the matching program available from the international headquarters of the Wheelchair Foundation. These wheelchairs are delivered by 280-wheelchair containers, directly to our distribution partners in the country of destination.
These tangible, life changing wheelchairs get directly to the people who need them.
As Rotarians, civic leaders and professionals we have the ability to immediately improve the lives of disabled people, and to participate in an international service project that has succeeded far beyond anyone’s expectations.
I have a Wheelchair Friendly Project about supporting wheelchairs in the Community. Do you have email I can send details.
Cheers Chris Filmer
0499 592 112
Hello, you can expect a reply soon. Kindest Regards.
Can you help me get a wheel chair its that I can’t walk far because of my feet
Hello and thank you for the inquiry. Please send all requests for wheelchairs to info@wheelchairfoundation.org
I am concerned when I seen older people pushing wheelchairs when one could have something more comfortable. I’m looking to maybe making a donation in the near future but really want my money to go to people really needy, in other words am slightly sceptical of ( middle man syndrome ) and rather than donate money I would rather buy whatever is required. If this is not possible please let me know and also let me know of an organization who could oblige. Thank you. Cheers Sara Houston.
Hello, here at Wheelchair Foundation we work with other NGO’s to do our best to deliver wheelchairs directly to the recipients without the work or need of any “middlemen”. Typically local non-profits, Rotary International or other humanitarian aid organizations are partners of ours and we handle every part of the logistics that go into shipping and receiving of our wheelchairs. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at info@wheelchairfoundation.org
My name’s are Vincent muwowo from Zambia luapula province I need your help on behalf of my people without mobilety in Zambia more about my community may I sending you pictures for those people in needs of wheelchair s young adults and kids, please find my WhatsApp line +260964 210115 or email muwowovincent@gmail.com
Please send an email with your contact information and request to info@wheelchairfoundation.org and one of our team members will assist you from there. Thank you, Wheelchair Foundation.
Do you collect the plastic bread tags?
Hello and thank you for the inquiry. We do not collect plastic bread tags. Have a wonderful day.
Check out the Facebook page Aussie Bread Tags For Wheelchairs
if you’re still interested
i have a wheelchair that is no longer needed that I would like to donate. Do you want or know anyone I can donate it to.
Hello and thank you for the comment. Unfortunately we do not have the facilities or logistics to accept wheelchairs. There are other organizations that do. One of them is Wheelchair Recycling Program at http://www.wrp.org.
My son’s wheel chair is too small for him now. Do you provide free wheelchair?
He is 13 years old now
Russel
Hello Russel,
Thank you for the inquiry. Please send your request to info@wheelchairfoundation.org
Thank you,
Wheelchair Foundation
My father sits in the village with no means of mobility. I was wondering if there’s a way of buying one from you ??
Hello,
Please send all inquiries to info@wheelchairfoundation.org.
Thank you for your message.
Regards,
Wheelchair Foundation
Do you accept steel bottle tops for wheelchairs
Hello,
Please send all inquiries to info@wheelchairfoundation.org.
Thank you for your message.
Regards,
Wheelchair Foundation
Hi,
I live in Newcastle. My mum will need a wheelchair soon after the operation in 2 weeks time, will there be anyone have wheelchair that is no longer used. I am willing to pay a some fee if the wheelchair is in good condition. A small one is fine as she is only weight 43 kgs.
Please email me for detail discussion.
Thank you
Chad
Hello and thank you for the message. Please send any requests for wheelchairs to info@wheelchairfoundation.org
Thank you,
Wheelchair Foundation
My mother who is 87 years old broke her thigh bone in Aug 2017 and underwent surgery. She is with us on visitor visa and returning back on 26th October 2018. She is currently using walker and finding hard to go outside home. Myself and my wife are retired and above 60. I am looking for a wheelchair for loan for 6 months until the end of Oct 2018. Who should be approached in Australia? Or wheel chair foundation will be able to provide on loan. Please reply
Hello and thank you for your comment. Please send any wheelchair requests to info@wheelchairfoundation.org Our team will be able to answer your request there.
The wheel chair foundation has touched the life’s of many. May your noble desire to make the world a better place to live for the disabled & the less fortunate in the society be blessed.
Few years ago I lost my son through Cancer, I registered a Cancer foundation named after him, we have tried to rescue few cancer fighter’s. Currently we have our success story of a disabled man whom we helped & overcame the battle. He has a problem with mobility and it hinders his shoe making business, I will send my request through your website for your kind generation.
I come from the Republic of Kenya and currently based in Australia studying nursing and later specialize in cancer with the hope to go back home and set a cancer centre.
Much greatful
Hello and thank you for your comment. Please send any wheelchair requests to info@wheelchairfoundation.org Our team will be able to answer your request there.
Hello got a Grade 3 female student who disabled and use wheelchair to get to school. Her wheelchair is old and she can’t get to school. Could you help her with a wheelchair? Papua New Guinea
Hello and thank you for the inquiry. Please send all requests for wheelchairs to info@wheelchairfoundation.org and someone will get in touch with you shortly.
Are you or any organisations doing donations of wheelchairs in exchange for the tags from teabags? I have heard of something and just wanting to confirm
Hello, we do not exchange wheelchairs for tags from teabags. That sounds like a wonderful and interesting program. If you need further information on acquiring a wheelchair, please send an email to info@wheelchairfoundation.org
Hello, I’ve lost touch with a local representative for Tea Bag Tag donations. Is there an address where I may post these?
Hello and thank you for the inquiry. Please send all requests for wheelchairs to info@wheelchairfoundation.org and someone will get in touch with you shortly.
You can post them to my Tea Tag collection on the other side of the world, which is in The Netherlands / Europe.
see http://www.teatag.eu for this collection and ways to contact.
Rgrds,
Bert
I have a person who needs a wheelchair to move around. How can I get one?
Hello and thank you for the inquiry. Please send all requests for wheelchairs to info@wheelchairfoundation.org and someone will get in touch with you shortly.
do u provide wheel chairs for the australians free of charge
Hello and thank you for the inquiry. Please send all requests for wheelchairs to info@wheelchairfoundation.org and someone will get in touch with you shortly.
Our lad has several old wheel chairs that are no longer suitable for him however I believe that they could be of use to others less fortunate. I want to be able to gift them to someone who will use them or their parts to provide for someone less fortunate, How do I get them to someone who can use them or refurbish them for others.
Jim
Hello and thank you for the inquiry. Please send all requests for wheelchairs or needs to info@wheelchairfoundation.org
Hi there
I have a large number of wheelchairs and beds suitable for children we love to donate. Could you please be in touch with a contact number if you would like them
Hello and thank you for the inquiry. Please send all requests for wheelchairs or information to info@wheelchairfoundation.org
Do you collect aluminium can tags???
If not who does?
Hello, we do not collect can tags. We’re not sure what organization handles those type of donation. You can visit our other organization’s page here on the site for suggestions on your search. Thank you, Wheelchair Foundation
Are you collecting tea bag labels?? If so, where can I send them. Cheers
Hello, no we’re not and not sure what organization is doing so.
Hello, I have a wheelchair friendly property for sale in Airlie Beach, link below. Is there anywhere I could post this for people’s interest? https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-airlie+beach-132591326
Thank you.
Fay Kunze
Are you still collecting tea tabs?
Thank you for your message, however that program has been discontinued. Have a wonderful day! ~ Wheelchair Foundation
Hi,
I am looking for a lightweight transport wheelchair for my husband. He has mulitple medical condition includings vascular diesease which he is unable to walk very far without extreme pain and also COPD only 20% lung capacity. I dont whether you are to donate a wheelchair or can buy one from you.
Thank you
Pauline
Please send an email with your contact information and request to info@wheelchairfoundation.org and one of our team members will assist you from there. Thank you, Wheelchair Foundation.
Hi I’m wondering if you still take tea bag tags I have thousands
Hello. We do not have a tea bag tag program. Thank you for reaching out.
I have a couple of wheelchairs that I would like to donate
1. Electric Wheelchair – Pride R-40 – Width 16 inches, depth 16 inches
2. Manual Wheelchair – Mogo Brand width 16 inches, depth 15 inches
Can someone reach out to me if there is a need. They would need to collect from Acacia Gardens
Hello, We are unable to accept donations of used durable medical equipment. Mostly for liability reasons here in the United States, but due to power compatibility and service issues over seas, typically there are no parts or ability to get anything serviced in the developing world.
Hi
Anybody know where can I get a free wheelchair for my mum? Second hand one
Please send an email with your contact information and request to info@wheelchairfoundation.org and one of our team members will assist you from there. Thank you, Wheelchair Foundation.
Please contact us in regard to a donation we want to make to your organization in Australia.
Hello and thank you for your message. If you would like you may send an email to info@wheelchairfoundation.org or call in at 1-877-378-3839 and one of our associates will be able to assist you from there. Sincerely, Wheelchair Foundation
Hi my name is kathleene I am in need of eltric wheel I have a disability with back which causes static and can barely and I have the more try and walk the worse it getting I live at home and I have now way for getting out and about I don’t money or anything I really need help getting a electric wheelchair
Wheelchair Foundation provides standard, manual wheelchairs to individuals at no cost. We do not have access to or distribute electric wheelchairs or scooters. If a manual wheelchair will help in your situation, please send an email with your contact information to info@wheelchairfoundation.org and someone from our team will assist you from there. Thank you, Wheelchair Foundation.