The Rotary Club of Lautoka will be donating 240 wheelchairs to individuals around the country who are in need of them.

The wheelchairs were donated by the club in conjunction with the Wheelchair Foundation of Australia, Rotary Club of Gosford West, Rotary Club of Kincumber Australia and also including individual donors.

It would be given to few Non-Government Organisation groups like the Fiji Cancer Society, Purple Rose and the Sugar Festival Association.

Donating the wheelchairs at the Koroipita Model Town in Naikabula, Lautoka last Thursday, Rotary Club of Lautoka president, Crystal Bouchard, said out of the 240 wheelchairs, 10 would be donated to children.

“We will be giving some chairs out to some very important people who need this assistance and then over the months, we will be receiving other applications and then we will be coordinating the release and delivery of the rest,” she said.

“We will make sure that these wheelchairs go to the people who are in need.”

Fiji Cancer Society member, Margaret Rounds, said the share of the wheelchairs donated to the group would go to patients who were in palliative care.

Purple Rose member, Louise Ianna, said the group was grateful to receive their share of the wheelchairs.

Sugar Festival Association president, Pusp Raj, said previously the group purchased a wheelchair at $400 each which was costly.

“We are thankful to the various donors for their kind contribution,” said Mr Raj.

Edited by Selita Bolanavanua

nicolette.chambers@fijisun.com.fj