We are delighted to announce that Designability has made the shortlist for this year’s Charity Awards, the longest-running and most prestigious awards scheme in the charity sector.
In the running to win best ‘disability’ charity
Designability has been shortlisted in the Disability category for the Wizzybug Loan Scheme, which aims to provides fun, powered wheelchairs called Wizzybugs to young, disabled children under 5. It gives children from as young as 14 months the opportunity to move independently, play freely with their friends and siblings and learn vital mobility skills in their early years.
The Charity Awards, which announces its shortlist today (3 May), is the sector’s most highly-regarded excellence recognition scheme. All 30 shortlisted charities this year have been judged by an independent panel of sector leaders as having demonstrated best practice in leadership and management, from which other organisations can learn.
About the Wizzybug Loan Scheme
We have been providing free Wizzybugs to families across the UK to bridge the gap where there is a distinct lack of NHS funding or lower cost powered solutions for pre-school children.
The Wizzybug was first developed in the 2000s when it became apparent that there were no other powered wheelchairs available that were designed with 1-5 year olds in mind. We wanted them to look as fun and as inclusive as possible.
In order to offer early years powered mobility to families, we knew we had to eradicate the steep price tag that comes with assistive equipment and, after we received initial funding, we were able to pilot the Wizzybug Loan Scheme which, in turn, expanded to cover the whole of the UK (including Northern Ireland).
Having access to an aid like Wizzybug can open up the world to young disabled children.
Stay tuned…
The 10 category winners, plus the recipients of the Overall Award for Excellence and the Daniel Phelan Award for Outstanding Achievement, will be announced at a black-tie dinner on 7 June, held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
Wish us luck!