Disabled driver Madge gets the keys to a new Hyundai… and independence
Disabilities minister Justin Tomlinson presented the keys to a new Motability Scheme car to a constituent on his home turf in Swindon.
Mr Tomlinson, MP for Swindon North, presented the keys to arthritis sufferer Madge Trinder at Suzuki and Hyundai dealership Pebley Beach.
Madge, 76, has had one shoulder and two hip replacements, which makes driving difficult. She collected the keys of a Hyundai i10 with automatic transmission and power steering that she will lease for three years.
The Motability Scheme allows Madge and around 650,000 drivers like her across the UK, and nearly 1,000 in Swindon North alone, to use their Disability Living Allowance to lease a new car.
Mr Tomlinson said: “I am delighted to have presented Madge with the keys to her new Motability Scheme vehicle here in my constituency.
“As Minister for Disabled People I understand the importance of the Motability Scheme across the UK, so it’s fantastic to see first-hand how the scheme supports those in my constituency.”
Declan O’Mahony, director of Motability, said: “We would like to thank Justin for supporting the Motability Scheme.
“We are proud to have transformed the lives of more than four million disabled people since 1977 and we look forward to supporting the personal mobility of many more in the future.
“And we would like to pay tribute to Pebley Beach; a business that it hugely committed to its community and looking after its customers.”
For Madge, the new Hyundai i10 means one thing: independence. “I wanted a small car with four doors and I looked at a few cars before coming to Pebley Beach. [Sales executive] Sean Quirk was so good – he discussed what I was looking for, showed me around the car, and we went for a drive.
“I’ve never driven an automatic before, and found it so easy. The power steering made it easy to turn into my drive or into parking spaces. I coped perfectly and it’s really given me my independence back.
“All the people at Pebley Beach have been so friendly and helpful. I would recommend them to anyone.”
Pebley’s MD, Dominic Threlfall, said: “ “We’ve been a Motability dealer for over a decade, supplying hundreds of cars locally and it’s a very important part of our business.
“We were thrilled to be chosen for this event and goes to show the hard work and importance we put in the scheme.
“If anyone would like to know more about it, feel free to pop in and see us.”
The ceremony was also attended by Swindon’s mayor, Andrew Bennett, and the leader of Swindon Council, David Renard.