Ex-England rugby star and BBC commentator with MS is a total inspiratio

EX-England rugby star and fundraising champion Alastair Hignell of Cambridge is not one to let limitations get the better of him.

Despite suffering with multiple sclerosis since 1999, Alastair played a major part in a marathon fundraising effort - even finding the time and energy to cheer on his heroes at various points around the 13 mile course.

The former BBC commentator, who now spends much of his time raising funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre, supported a team of 100 runners who took part in a half marathon in Gloucestershire last weekend.

The runners were participating as Higgy's Heroes, the collective name given to Alastair's army of fundraising comrades. And despite facing obvious limitations himself, Alastair, who was born in Cambridge but now lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire, managed to get around on the day thanks to a mobility scooter which has changed his life.

He said: "I have two Quingo scooters, a Quingo Sport and a Quingo Air. Both are five wheeled scooters which means they are more flexible and can do more than the average mobility scooter.

"I can't walk very far and I can't do stairs. I could walk to the end of the street but beyond that I would struggle - I'd probably fall or trip. I'm resigned to a scooter to get me about and do everyday things, like attending physio which is about one mile away. I go once or twice a week at the moment but I just wouldn't be able to go without it.

"At the half marathon for instance, I used the Quingo Sport to get around on the day, cheering and supporting at various points along the course. Stroud is very hilly and my Quingo Sport literally cruises up the hills. It copes with potholes and uneven surfaces, it's fantastic."

Alastair, who collected a CBE for his fundraising efforts just a week before the half marathon, dedicates much of his time to the MSRC, which offers support, guidance and advice to MS sufferers and their families.

He said: "I'm a patron of the MSRC and spend as much time as possible to help the charity, promoting and raising money. It's about making lives easier and ensuring that people can still live a quality of life. Yes, MS is a difficult disease but there are ways of getting the help if the right support is there.

"The MSRC believes that 'life is for living' and I think that Quingo scooters have helped me live that philosophy by allowing me to retain so much of my independence.

"Both Quingo and the MSRC show that even if you have a limitation with mobility, you can still do day to day things with the right support. My scooter helps me with the daily tasks that would otherwise be a challenge and enables me to do them without restriction."

So what next for Alastair's fundraising activities? In between family life, physiotherapy and a very busy social life, he is currently organising a charity bike ride in Gloucestershire in December - and is keen to get participants on mobility scooters.

"I will be taking part on my Quingo Sport, why not? It's about having that independence and mobility to be able to do things like this, and it would be great to get more participants on mobility scooters.

"I was made aware of a group of people with MS called the Red Wheelies who rode the length of Hadrian's Wall on mobility scooters, how inspiring! It would be fantastic to do a challenge like that under the Higgy's Heroes name to raise money for the MSRC. Has anybody any ever done Land's End to John O'Groats on a mobility scooter?!

"The idea of Higgy's Heroes is to put the challenge out there to people. If someone has an idea for a charity challenge, especially one that overcomes a mobility restriction, we encourage them to get in touch and see if we can make it a reality between us."

For more information please visit www.msrc.co.uk 

Rehacare Success for Quingo

The recently held RehaCare exhbition which is noted to be Europe's leading mobility show had over 48,000 specialists, experts and interested visitors over the four days it was opened.

AVC Ltd were delighted with the response and the number of distributor enquiries they received. Director Fred Brown commented that RehaCare is an important international market place for valuable contacts all over Europe and far beyond. Fred said that he and the team were going to be extremely busy over the next couple of months establishing Quingo Distributors in the new export contacts from the show.

See the Quingo Range at Europe's Leading Healthcare Exhibition - REHACARE

See the entire Quingo Range, the world's safest five wheel scooters with Quintell Technology, at Europe's leading healthcare exhibition REHACARE.

All visitors are welcome to try the Quingo range. Advanced Vehicle Concepts Ltd stand is in HALL 03 / A70 - D.

The show runs from Wednesday 14th October to Saturday 17th October.

We look forward to meeting you

King of the Jungle reality star 'Christopher Biggins' backs Luton scooter

Forever Active which supplies the Quingo range of mobility scooters in the UK has had a celebrity endorsement from larger-than-life King of the Jungle and panto star Christopher Biggins.

The surprise 2007 winner of I'm a Celebrity, Get me Out of Here! bought the top of the range Quingo Sport from Forever Active in Cradock Road for his beloved mum, Pam, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis.

Octogenarian Pam described it as "the greatest gift of all" because it gave her back her independence.

She said: "He's bought me some fabulous presents over the years but the scooter is wonderful. I'm so grateful. I've had scooters in the past but this is so much better.

"Now I can get out easier, go further and see people I would never see if I was stuck in the house. It's fantastic."

Forever Active Managing Director Mark Nicholls said: "We are delighted that Christopher and his mum have had such a positive experience with her Quingo.

"Our products have been designed to give back independence to people with mobility issues and it sounds like Pam is getting the full benefit."

Check out the Quingo Sport at http://www.quingoscooters.com/ 

The Red Wheelies conquer 84 mile Hadrians Wall Trek on Quingo Spos

Member’s of Britain’s one and only “Scooter Formation Display Team” - the Red Wheelies – successfully completed their biggest challenge yet: a gruelling journey along the full length of Hadrian’s Wall, travelling over 84 miles in less than two weeks - all on Quingo Sport mobility scooters.

It is the first time that anyone has ever attempted to travel the distance of the world renowned Roman wall on mobility scooters in its 2,000 year history - meaning the Kent ladies are officially trail blazers and hopefully their successful experience could encourage other people to follow in their tracks for years to come.

All members of this pioneering party have Multiple Sclerosis - eight of the nine are grannies, two celebrate their ruby wedding anniversaries this year, three will turn 60 before the end of 2009 and between them, they boast an impressive combined age of 542.

The group undertook the colossal challenge to raise much needed funds for The Kent Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre in Canterbury, a self funding charity, set up by MS sufferers – and offering oxygen therapy, physiotherapy, nutrition and diet advice, nurse clinics, support groups and counselling services for both patients and carers.

Red Wheelie team leader, Jackie Weeden, said; “We wanted to show people that MS is not the end and that it can be the start of something new, something different. The journey was not without its trials – we had a few days where we thought the weather would have us beaten – but it all worked out and we crossed the finishing line to glorious sunshine.”

“We also want people to know that all was self-funded and the expedition was part of our annual holiday, ensuring all funds raised go direct to the Therapy Centre we attend.

“We have received some fantastic support from Quingos Mobility Scooters too – and without them, this trip really wouldn’t have been possible. Most scooters have three or four wheels and are designed for use around shopping centres and on even surfaces but we were out in the wild tackling stones, rocks, tree roots, puddles and potholes so we needed transport that could cope – which Quingos can as they have five wheels, meaning they are sturdy as well as maneuverable on every type of surface – bumpy or flat. When Mark agreed to let us have ten top of the range five wheel sports models, it was all systems go. We just can’t wait to get started now.”

Managing Director of Forever Active (UK suppliers of Quingos), Mark Nicholls, said; “Our products have been designed to give people with mobility issues their independence back and the ladies have achieved what is a truly tremendous feat, we feel honoured to have been involved in the journey and wish the Red Wheelies all the best luck for the future – as we’re certain this is the first challenge of many that they’ll successfully conquer.”

Luton based company help set wheelies in motion for the charity First

Luton based vehicle company Quingo have helped to wheel Britain’s one and only ‘Scooter Formation Team’ – the Red Wheelies - into the spotlight by providing them with scooters with which they aim to complete their biggest challenge yet: a gruelling journey along the full length of Hadrian’s Wall, travelling over 84 miles in less than two weeks - all on Quingo Sport mobility scooters.

It is the first time that anyone has ever attempted to travel the distance of the world renowned Roman wall on mobility scooters in its 2,000 year history – and, with the backing of local company AVC Ltd and their Quingo scooters, the ladies are set to be true trail blazers and, if successful, their experiences could encourage other people to follow in their tracks for years to come.

All members of this pioneering party have Multiple Sclerosis - eight of the nine are grannies, two celebrate their ruby wedding anniversaries this year, three will turn 60 before the end of 2009 and between them, they boast an impressive combined age of 542.

The group are undertaking this colossal challenge to raise much needed funds for The Kent Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre in Canterbury, a self funding charity, set up by MS sufferers – and offering oxygen therapy, physiotherapy, nutrition and diet advice, nurse clinics, support groups and counselling services for both patients and carers.

Director of AVC Ltd (manufacturers of Quingo Mobility Vehicles), Mark Nicholls, personally hand delivered the shiny new scooters to the intrepid Red Wheelies on 17 April. He said; “Our products have been designed to give people with mobility issues their independence back and I don’t think I have ever met a more determined, independently-minded set of ladies in my life before! If anyone can successfully undertake this challenge, they can. Everyone at Quingo is incredibly proud to be involved with the trip.”

Red Wheelie team leader, Jackie Weeden, said; “We are doing all this to show that MS is not necessarily the end – but can be the start of something different. We’re sure there will be many laughs along the way and perhaps a few tears, but one of the things we will definitely have is fun – and lots of it.

“We also want people to know that we are self-funding and doing this expedition as part of our annual holiday, ensuring all funds raised go direct to the Therapy Centre we attend.

“We have received some fantastic support from AVC Ltd and their Quingo Mobility Scooters –without them, this trip really wouldn’t have been possible. Most scooters have three or four wheels and are designed for use around shopping centres and on even surfaces but we will be out in the wild tackling stones, rocks, tree roots, puddles and potholes so we needed transport that could cope – which Quingos can as they have five wheels, meaning they are sturdy as well as manoeuvrable on every type of surface – bumpy or flat. When Mark agreed to let us have ten top of the range five wheel sports models, it was all systems go. We just can’t wait to get started now.”

The Red Wheelies have also been working in close partnership with Hadrian’s Wall Path – National Trails (Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd) to create an accessible trail to complement the existing walking and cycling paths – and leave a lasting legacy of the walk.

David McGlade, National Trail Officer at Hadrian’s Wall heritage Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have had an opportunity to assist in the coordination of this exciting journey. The Red Wheelies’ route combines sections of the Hadrian’s Cycleway Route 72 and the Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail, including many Roman Wall sites and some of the stunning view points along the wall.”

The Red Wheelies begin their journey on 11 May. To find out more and to make a donation, visitwww.redwheelies.co.uk . People can also follow the ladies’ trials and tribulations on www.twitter.com.

For further information on Quingo Mobility Vehicles, visit www.quingoscooters.com.

The Quingo Range now available in Belgium

AVC Ltd are pleased to announce the launch of the Quingo Range in to Belgium. The products were launched successfully at the Belgium National Show REVA.

The Quingo Range exhibited at the Lyon Faire

The Quingo Range will be exhibited at the Lyon Faire for the next two weeks.

Mobilys the French distributor of Quingo, are looking for a successful introduction of the scooters to the Lyon public at this large well known regional show.

Quingo in France!

The Mobilys team are hard at work demonstrating the Quingo Range to potential distributors.
The phoograph shows Clement ready for work in his new Quingo van!

All potential French Distributors who would like to find out more about the unique Quingo range complete an international enquiry form and these details will be forwarded to the Mobilys team.

Mobilys becomes the appointed distributor of Quingo in to France

AVC Ltd are pleased to announce Mobilys from France as their latest addition to their distributor partners.
Mobilys have over 8 years experience of the Healthcare Industry in France. Patrick Maillard, Managing Director of Mobilys was excited at the opportunity of introducing the highly successful Quingo Scooter range in to France.
Mobilys will be looking to establish a dealer network through out France and Patrick and his team already have a number of dealers waiting for the Quingo product.