Menu
11/10/2016
Maghaberry Prisoners Restore Old Wheelchairs To Be Used In Africa
Prisoners in Maghaberry in Lisburn are restoring old and obsolete wheelchairs for use in Africa and countries in conflict across the world.
Hundreds of wheelchairs, disposed of by the National Health Service (NHS), have been repaired and rebuilt in the prison's workshop and shipped out to third-world countries through local charity and missionary groups.
Maghaberry Prison Governor Stephen Davis said: "Each month around 80-100 wheelchairs are restored by prisoners and sent to countries including Africa, Romania, Malawi and even Thailand, Libya and Syria.
"The wheelchairs have been deemed obsolete by the NHS. But in the workshop prisoners will steam wash them, strip them back, rebuild, restore and even repaint them.
"The completely refurbished and fully functional wheelchair is then collected by our charity partners - Mediaid4kids, Bike Aid for Africa, Tell Romania and Faith in Action Missions. They are then shipped out in containers to countries outside the EU."
Up to a dozen prisoners using basic hand tools are involved in the work to restore the wheelchairs, following check-lists to ensure they meet health and safety guidelines.
(CD/MH)
Hundreds of wheelchairs, disposed of by the National Health Service (NHS), have been repaired and rebuilt in the prison's workshop and shipped out to third-world countries through local charity and missionary groups.
Maghaberry Prison Governor Stephen Davis said: "Each month around 80-100 wheelchairs are restored by prisoners and sent to countries including Africa, Romania, Malawi and even Thailand, Libya and Syria.
"The wheelchairs have been deemed obsolete by the NHS. But in the workshop prisoners will steam wash them, strip them back, rebuild, restore and even repaint them.
"The completely refurbished and fully functional wheelchair is then collected by our charity partners - Mediaid4kids, Bike Aid for Africa, Tell Romania and Faith in Action Missions. They are then shipped out in containers to countries outside the EU."
Up to a dozen prisoners using basic hand tools are involved in the work to restore the wheelchairs, following check-lists to ensure they meet health and safety guidelines.
(CD/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 November 2011
Hear! Hear! Poots Backs Deaf Kids
A cool £1m has been allocated to a programme that could help restore hearing to 23 children in Northern Ireland. Edwin Poots, the Stormont Health Minister has also announced that a 'scoping study' is to investigate the quality of audiology services overall.
Hear! Hear! Poots Backs Deaf Kids
A cool £1m has been allocated to a programme that could help restore hearing to 23 children in Northern Ireland. Edwin Poots, the Stormont Health Minister has also announced that a 'scoping study' is to investigate the quality of audiology services overall.
15 April 2019
Powered Wheelchairs Now Available For Young Children In NI
Families in Northern Ireland can now access free powered wheelchairs for children with disabilities thanks to a new charity partnership. The Mae Murray Foundation has teamed up with the UK assistive technology charity Designability to provide Wizzybugs to disabled children under five.
Powered Wheelchairs Now Available For Young Children In NI
Families in Northern Ireland can now access free powered wheelchairs for children with disabilities thanks to a new charity partnership. The Mae Murray Foundation has teamed up with the UK assistive technology charity Designability to provide Wizzybugs to disabled children under five.
18 June 2002
NI Memorial Fund appoint new Chairman
The Managing Director of First Trust Bank, Dennis Licence, has been appointed Chairman of the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund, the charity that provides support to victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
NI Memorial Fund appoint new Chairman
The Managing Director of First Trust Bank, Dennis Licence, has been appointed Chairman of the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund, the charity that provides support to victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
28 February 2022
Use Of Drugs And Medication Key Area Of Concern In NI Prisons
Leadership and staff at Magilligan Prison have been commended for their efforts to successfully protect prisoners and colleagues during the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining a regime where time out of cell for prisoners was retained for much of the day.
Use Of Drugs And Medication Key Area Of Concern In NI Prisons
Leadership and staff at Magilligan Prison have been commended for their efforts to successfully protect prisoners and colleagues during the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining a regime where time out of cell for prisoners was retained for much of the day.
22 October 2012
Knife Crime Play Staged Before Prisoners
The staging of a play on knife crime before prisoners has been praised by the Prison Service Director General. 'Long Road' is a play by English dramatist Shelagh Stephenson which deals with the impact of knife crime in society.
Knife Crime Play Staged Before Prisoners
The staging of a play on knife crime before prisoners has been praised by the Prison Service Director General. 'Long Road' is a play by English dramatist Shelagh Stephenson which deals with the impact of knife crime in society.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
