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SHOPMOBILITY BRACKNELL IS TOP CLASS - IT’S OFFICIAL!

08/12/09

Bracknell Town Centre mobility experts, Shopmobility, has received two fantastic Awards recognising the amazing contribution that the scheme delivers to Bracknell residents.

On Friday, November 27, Shopmobility Bracknell won Gold in the first ever Bracknell Forest Partnership Awards, and were presented with the Award by Mary Purnell, Assistant Director for NHS East and Chairman of the Bracknell Forest Partnership.

The Partnership Awards seek to recognise people and organisations that make a significant contribution to the Borough by sharing efforts, skills, expertise and knowledge across three categories – People, Place and Community.

Shopmobility Bracknell was presented with the Gold Award because it clearly demonstrated all the benefits and advantages of partnership working. The Shopmobility scheme enables people to live more independent lives and has been described by users as ‘a lifeline’.

Shopmobility Bracknell is supported by Bracknell Forest Council, Bracknell Town Council and Bracknell Regeneration Partnership (BRP) but wouldn’t be such a success without two special ladies Becky Pearce & Susan Lewis.

Both Becky and Sue also engage with their members and the wider community in fundraising initiatives to make up the short fall in funding so that they can continue to provide the Shopmobility service to Bracknell.

The second Award was presented on Monday, November 23 2009 at the Pride of Bracknell Awards. This Awards ceremony recognises those that have gone above their call of duty to help within the wider Bracknell community.

Presented by Helen Barnett, marketing manager at BRP for their outstanding achievements, both Becky and Sue accepted the ‘Special Town Centre Award’ for continuous work for Bracknell.

Becky Pearce, manager of Shopmobility Bracknell, was humbled by the week: “It’s been such an amazing week, topped and tailed by winning awards! It’s been a great year for Shopmobility Bracknell and we have gone from strength to strength in increasing our members and offering them the best service we can provide. It’s wonderful to receive such recognition – it’s not why we do what we do, but it’s lovely to be thought of.”

Earlier in the year, Shopmobility Bracknell reached its 200th member and in addition received the Tom Hillier Award for the best Shopmobility branch in the country. Announced at the National Federation Shopmobility UK Summer National Conference, the Tom Hillier Award was formed in memory of Tom Hillier – the founder of the NFSUK. His memory lives on through the Award and each year Grace Hillier judges the branch and chooses the most exceptional to receive the Award.

Helen Barnett who is marketing manager at BRP and vice chairperson for Shopmobility Bracknell comments: “Becky and Sue deserve all the recognition and praise that has been given to them over the last week and indeed the past year. The ladies work so hard, making the effort that they put into the town centre unforgettable.

“So many people rely on Shopmobility Bracknell and I believe the Awards that they have received go some way in showing just how much the community of Bracknell appreciate all their hard work.”

Shopmobility lends manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs and powered scooters to members of the public who have limited mobility. The service enables people to shop more easily and visit facilities within the town centre. The scheme runs in towns across the UK, offering increased independence, self esteem, and choice to those who need it most.

For more information visit Bracknell Shopmobility at 2 Crossway, Bracknell, or call 01344 861316.