America’s Cup more accessible thanks to minibus grant
Jackson Van Interiors General Manager Neil Collis, left, and Northern Region Chairperson and National Vice-Chairperson Trevor Jenkin, with one of the Mercedes Benz minibuses.
A generous grant and the hard work of van interior experts meant MDANZ members had improved access to America’s Cup events held in Auckland this month.
Funding from the Lottery Grants Board, to the tune of $233,174, meant the association could purchase two Mercedes Benz minibuses, and have them fitted out for wheelchair transportation by the team at Jackson Van Interiors.
National Executive Chairperson Tristram Ingham says the organisation wanted to provide a free door-to-door wheelchair accessible shuttle service to members to “support active engagement in America’s Cup events”.
The vans transported members to observation areas in the Viaduct and at Bastion Point.
Once the racing is over, one van will be used by MDANZ’s Northern region, and the other by the Central region to provide ongoing transport options for members to events.
“A number of members have been unable to attend our peer support groups, annual meetings and community events because of the lack of accessible, affordable transport,” Tristram says.
Jackson Van Interiors General Manager Neil Collis says it takes up to 160 hours to kit out an empty van with reinforced floors and walls, wheelchair restraints, swing-out seats and a hoist.
The vans are fitted with hoists that can lift 350kgs and seats that can fold up to make way for wheelchairs.
He says factory minibuses don’t meet the needs of everyone, so the company does everything from manufacturing and fitting seat frames and hand controls, to carrying out crash tests to prove that their seats meet NZTA safety standards.
Northern Region Chairperson and National Vice-Chairperson Trevor Jenkin says the team at Jackson Van Interiors were extremely accommodating as they worked towards getting the vans fit for purpose.
“Nothing was too much trouble for these guys.” Trevor says the vans will be a vital tool in helping members attend events and access services – including attending Northern Region camps.
“In the past people haven’t attended camp because they can’t get there, or they’ve had to hire a van to get there – which is an extra cost on top of attending camp.”
On their way to the Northern Region family camp held on Waitangi weekend, are (clockwise from front left) Ethan King, Oliver King, Neil Singh, Lachlan Islip and Neil Westwood.
He says MDANZ is incredibly grateful to Lotteries for the generous grant and to Jackson Van Interiors for the great customer service.
“Without the help of Lotteries, Ingham Prestige Mercedes and Jacksons our members would have struggled to attend the America’s Cup events and continued to miss out on events and support services. Thank you for your support of MDANZ – it really
does make a difference,” Trevor says.
* This story was originally published in the Autumn 2021 edition of In Touch magazine.
For more information please contact:
Melanie Louden
Communications and Marketing Advisor
Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand
027 509 8774
melanie.louden@mda.org.nz
