Remap’s awards celebrate hard work of its volunteers who help disabled people stay independent

National charity Remap held an awards ceremony on 27th June in London to commemorate the work and achievements of its volunteers who help disabled people across the UK.

A range of manufacturers, inventors and engineers entered the awards, with seven applicants emerging as winners.

Remap comprises of groups of volunteers who design bespoke equipment free-of-charge for disabled people. According to the charity, its team helps around ten disabled people every day, allowing them to remain independent, regain lost skills and discover new ones.

The awards were presented by Paralympian engineer Dave Henson MBE, who commented: “I am blown away by the ingenuity of Remap’s engineers. They are coming up with some really unique, creative solutions which have a massive impact on people’s lives.”

He also spoke from personal experience about how technology and the right equipment can transform people’s lives.

VR headset and zoom camera

The first winner was a VR headset and zoom camera designed by volunteer Rupert Powell which enabled Ian, a man with limited sight, to see things that are far away. Ian can now watch football matches, rather than just listen to them, and uses the equipment for everyday activities such as shopping where he can scan the products on the shelves, rather than ask somebody for assistance.

Mount Snowdon adapted wheelchair

Another winner was Fred Harrison who adapted a wheelchair for a woman called Rosie so it could be taken up Mount Snowdon and cope with its uneven terrain. The wheelchair had to be used for roughly 8 miles so as Rosie and her team could complete the Snowdon Push

challenge.

Fred’s adaptation allowed Rosie and her team to complete the challenge, raising over £18,000 for charity.

Bathroom standing platform

Ralph Anderson also won an award for his innovative platform which allowed a young girl with dwarfism called Margaux to reach her bathroom taps. The bespoke design features an upper step which is large enough to provide a safe standing platform, high side panels which reduce the risk of falling, and non-slip surfaces.

Ralph’s design has given Margaux the same independence as other girls her age.

3D-printed device for rollator

Additionally, Martin Rees won an award for his creation of a 3D-printed device allowing an amputee called Eilian to use a rollator. Eilian could not safely use the rollator with one hand and it therefore required modification to allow him to use it.

First the brakes were altered by Martin so that they could be controlled with one hand, then he created a comfortable and adjustable cup-type holder for his residual limb, allowing Eilian to walk independently.

Helping handle for car

The next award was a design that allowed a paraplegic man, Bob Crump, to get in and out of his car. Bob needed a solution to help him transfer into his car due to his declining upper body strength.

Remap volunteer David Tappin made a lightweight frame which clips onto the vehicle’s door hinges to provide a stable handle, enabling Bob to use both hands and arms to lift himself from his wheelchair into the driving seat.

Church door adopts handrail

In addition, a handrail which fits to the door of an ancient listed building also won an award for its unique design. The request came from Parochial Church Council of St. Peter’s Church in Warwickshire where people were struggling to get down the two steep steps leading into the church.

Remap came up with the idea of a collapsible triangle, where each corner is hinged and has a hard nylon pad where it attaches to the door. The charity also incorporated a handrail into one arm of the frame, restoring people’s confidence when going into the church.

Narrowboat adapted chair

The final award went to Mike Banks who transformed an ordinary chair by fitting it with wheels for use on a narrowboat. The request came from a lady with Motor Neurone Disease who wanted to be able to navigate the tight spaces on her boat.