Wheels for the World
Wheels for the World changes the lives of disabled people and their families in developing countries through the gift of a wheelchair. Find out how you can get involved here…
What is Wheels for the World?
‘Today marks my most happiest moment of my life to see my grandmother Susan has acquired a wheelchair through the Wheel for the World initiative’, Phillip, from Kirinyaga, Kenya.
Philip’s words are a typical response of joy and thankfulness for the hope and freedom that a wheelchair can bring. However, Susan is only 1 of 80 million people that need a wheelchair and can’t afford one, as reported by The World Health Organisation.
Our Wheels for the World programme restores and distributes refurbished wheelchairs to disabled people in developing countries who can’t afford one. This gives increased independence and demonstrates the love of God in a practical way.
We take donated wheelchairs, including old NHS wheelchairs, to our workshop where volunteers use their technical skills to refurbish the chairs. The hub of operations is a warehouse unit in Aldershot where unwanted wheelchairs are received and restored. Then, before an international mission to a developing nation, they are loaded into containers for shipping.
The container of wheelchairs and other mobility aids is sent in advance of the mission team arrival. A typical distribution usually lasts 8 – 12 days with a team of 6 – 10 people staying in basic accommodation.
Our therapists fit all our chairs most carefully to ensure safety and comfort, and all recipients and family members are instructed in the correct use and maintenance of their chair.
Wheels for the World meets the practical needs of the disabled person with a wheelchair and, as we are a Christian charity, we offer recipients a Bible in their own language and local people share the Christian message. Wheelchairs are given according to need regardless of whether the recipient has a faith or not. Team members speak in local churches and community halls, spreading the message of including disabled people and training church leaders.
All of Wheels for the World’s work is made possible through the generous support of donors and fundraisers. If you’d like to sponsor a wheelchair, you can download a form by following this link.
An example of how Wheels works
When Peter’s father died after a period of increasing frailty, it was a distressing time for the whole family. Peter found that the NHS did not want him to return his father’s wheelchair as it was too worn to be reused. Peter donated the wheelchair to Through the Roof, and had the satisfaction of knowing that his donation would make an immense difference to someone on the other side of the world.
Chris had a difficult childhood and got in trouble with the law. He trained to repair wheelchairs and gained some useful skills that would help him to find a proper career. Chris refurbished the wheelchair donated by Peter for Through the Roof, and made it as good as new once again. Chris was able to feel a sense of self-worth and dignity, and know that he was helping others with his skills.
Miriam contracted polio as a child which left her with paralysis in her legs. Living in a community where no physiotherapy or rehabilitation services are available, she spent most of her time in bed, shut away from society. Occasionally she would venture out to see the world beyond the walls of her home, but could only move by dragging herself along the ground. A team from TTR arrived in Uganda to distribute wheelchairs. Miriam was given the wheelchair that had been donated by Peter and refurbished by Chris. Now she can help her mother selling produce on their market stall, and can go out independently and make friends.
Donating Wheelchairs and Funds
Thank you for thinking of donating a chair or mobility aid to Wheels for the World! Unfortunately, we can’t usually pick up chairs, but we’re very glad to receive them at our Aldershot warehouse (follow this link for the warehouse address) or take in occasional individual chairs at our Morden office. Please call us on 01372 749955 or email the office on info@throughtheroof.org to make sure that there’s space, and that we’ll have someone around to open up.
We can accept, and would love to have: children’s wheelchairs, wheelchair cushions, manual collapsible wheelchairs (not electric/power wheelchairs), crutches (in pairs and undamaged), walking sticks, undamaged folding walkers (three- or four-wheel), Bibles, buggies, children’s car seats in good condition (we use these for wheelchair seating – not in cars), straps and harnesses, gaffa tape.
We’re only able to repair wheelchairs, so if there’s any damage or bending to crutches or folding walkers, we unfortunately can’t take them.
We regret that we can’t accept…
electric wheelchairs; books; medical equipment; orthotic equipment; piedro boots; broken equipment; blankets; positioning equipment; or children’s toys.
We’re always happy to answer queries about donations, so please follow this link to email the office, and we’ll be happy to advise you.
Donating Funds
Please contact the office or visit our donations page ( Follow this link to our donations page) to support us financially. We run a wheelchair sponsorship scheme where £46 will help cover the costs of refurbishing a wheelchair and changing the life of a recipient in a developing country. Download a sponsorship form by following this link or by contacting…
The TTR office on 01372 749955 or info@throughtheroof.org.
We’re also very happy to have been supported in the past by corporate donations of money and time. If your workplace is interesting in partnering with TTR, we’d love to hear from you.
Every year we run several Through the Roof international mission trips. There are two main types of trip to developing countries
Sponsor a wheelchair for £46, and transform the life of a disabled person overseas.
Find out about how your support is changing people’s lives.
Our teams report back from International Missions as often as time and internet connections allow. Follow them here…
There are several other ways you can get involved to support the international work of Through the Roof.
Get Involved with Wheels for the World
Get Involved with Wheels for the World
Otwao has Cerebral Palsy and lives in Uganda. Although he can see and hear, he is unable to move his body. Like so many disabled children in Africa, he is hidden away. He and his mother live on their own in a reed hut. She goes to work every day and used to carry Otwao on her back, but since he’s grown too large for her to carry, she has had to leave him at home, lying alone on a cold floor until she returns in the evening. Otwao arrived at our Distribution Centre with his mother hoping for a wheelchair. Our team assessed him and gave him a wheelchair fitted for his size. Otwao can now enjoy company and freedom with her again.
You can be involved in changing the lives of some of the most needy people in the world, like Otwao! Have a look at the following ways of joining with us…
The work of Wheels for the World is entirely supported by donations and volunteers. Whether you choose to help out on a trip, raise vital funds, or support us in the UK, thank you!
Fundraising
Could you support us by organising an event, celebration, or sponsorship to help raise funds for Wheels for the World?
Contact us to find out about fundraising. Or link to our Just Giving page for a sponsored activity.
Following this link to download a sponsor form or by contact the office for a copy in the post.