Freewheeling

The Freewheeling project "recycles" redundant/unwanted wheelchairs, and other walking aids, from various sources in the UK and make them available free of charge to the needy disabled people in Southern Africa.

As at January 2026, well over 45,000 wheelchairs have been shipped since the project started in 1992.

The items collected are obsolete, redundant or scrapped by various Health Authorities and Red Cross loan centres or personal donations.

NHS regulations require that returned wheelchairs are inspected before reissue and labour costs together with poor availability of spare parts or changes to the rules often lead to premature scrapping.

Some of those classified as obsolete are, in fact, unused and are scrapped simply because they do not meet current regulations or a newer model has been developed.

Under UK Health & Safety regulations certain repair methods such as welding are not allowed, increasing the number of scrapped chairs that could be recycled.

Recognition

The project was recognised by Rotary GB&I when it chose District 1140 and the Freewheeling Project as the winner of the Connecticut Trophy at the Dublin National Conference 1999. It was also chosen by then National President Tony de St Dalmas for presentation to the delegates at the Blackpool National Conference.
The project also received a letter of endorsement from Lady Diana, shortly before her untimely death, and from the High Commissioner of South Africa in 2005.
In both the UK and South Africa the project has enhanced the image of Rotary and its objectives.