The first relaunched Get Going Live! event in Carshalton, focusing on independent mobility and assisted motoring, has been hailed a success by visitors, QEF Charity organisers and the Mayor and Mayoress of Sutton.
Friday 5th October. Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF), 1 Metcalfe Avenue, Carshalton. SM5 4NR.
Mayor, Councillor Steve Cook and Mayoress Pauline Cook of the London Borough of Sutton officially opened the show which was organised by QEF Mobility Services. Based in Carshalton, QEF Mobility Services is one of twenty independent organisations which offer professional information, advice and driving assessments for people seeking assistance with mobility. Accredited by the charity Driving Mobility, all centres are staffed by Occupational Therapists as well as Approved Driving Instructors so that safety for drivers with injuries, disabilities or restricted mobility is maximised.
The Mayor commented: “The event has really opened my eyes to the outstanding mobility equipment and accessible vehicles that are available these days. The Mayoress and I found Get Going Live! very rewarding and we would like to congratulate QEF for delivering such vital driving and mobility services in our area.”
Karen Deacon, QEF Chief Executive added: “What an amazing day – to have all these companies together with a wealth of knowledge and information to help people become able and not disabled. From our point of view Get Going Live! has been a huge success and I would like to thank everyone who has put so much time and effort into organising the event. The support of the Mayor and Mayoress has also been fantastic – what really impressed me was the time spent with us and the number of products they tried.”
Originally a feature of the national Mobility Roadshow which closed in 2017, this new regional Get Going Live! event was busy all day with visitors engaging with exhibitors and QEF staff. Over 30 mobility equipment manufacturers showcased products and accessible vehicle test drives were available around QEF’s private test track. There were also informative seminars regarding accessible transport and advice from the QEF’s Tryb4uFly service which advises on air travel with a disability.
Marion D’Moirah, QEF Communications Manager concluded: “Today has proven that Get Going Live! is alive and well! We have welcomed so many people, of all ages, to our centre today to see and experience a comprehensive range of products and services for greater independence. Bathed in glorious sunshine, our private track has been popular all day with visitors taking advantage of the 30 adapted and accessible vehicles available for test drives. The support of all the exhibitors is appreciated and as the atmosphere has been so positive and rewarding, we feel confident Get Going Live! will be even more of a success in 2019.”