Volunteers launch new mobility bus for the elderly
By Alan Tristram
Public donations helped raise more than $70,000 for the new ‘Dream Machine’ mobility bus christened at the Sevenoaks retirement village at the start of Easter.
And the oldest resident, 97-year-old Margaret Twiss, was one of the first locals to try out the fully-equipped mobility vehicle.
It will transport up to four wheelchairs and occupants — or nine residents and the driver — on outings and shopping trips.
The Easter christening of the bus (on Maundy Thursday) was conducted by the Reverend Maureen Ellis, from St Paul’s Anglican church, a near-neighbour of Sevenoaks; and Margeret Twiss officially cut the ribbon.
Started and finished with a dream
Wendy Huston, CEO for the Kapiti Retirement Trust, says just over a year ago a small group of staff and residents came together with a dream — to get a fully fitted-out mobility van for the village.
The name chosen by the group who started off with just a just a dream.
She says: “We found a brochure with a picture of our ‘ideal’ vehicle, came up with the name, set up a fundraising barometer on the wall and it evolved from there.
“Our base line was that while we had a focus, the process of raising the money had to be fun and bring people together. It has most certainly done that with lots of amazing stories of generosity.”
Over $70,000 from fund-raising
“The full cost is just over $74,000 we set ourselves the 2012 calendar year to fundraise. And, in that time,we raised $70,118 with the shortfall being met by the Trust.”

The fully-hydraulic hoist, christened on the day by Margeret Ellis, makes entry safe and comfortable .
And the Toyota Hiace van, with long wheelbas, has numerous safety facilitates, including a reversing camera and easy-fit wheelchair fastenings.
So just how will the Dream Machine be used.
Wendy Huston explains:
“Its purpose is twofold actually: One, to take residents in our aged-care hospital –who are unable due to physical limitations to get out into the community — out on ‘field’ trips, both locally, for example down to the beach, or further afield, eg the licorice factory in Levin, or down to Wellington .
“Two: To enable people living in the Kapiti community to be transported to and from our day respite centre, the Nikau Club.”
Previously,she says, a minivan was primarily used to transport residents living in the Sevenoaks- Midlands Garden Village on regular trips to the mall an d library.
Apart from this use, it was available for some outings for those in the hospital but without a disability fitout or appropriate access into the van .
And, she says, until now people attending the Nikau Club have had to organize their own transport along with one of our staff using her vehicle to collect people.
Thumb up for this action, Volunteers have done a great job here.