Disabled Motoring UK gives Red Wheelies empowered by Quingo top sports award

This year heralds the first Disabled Motoring UK Awards ceremony that took place at the Goodwood Revival on September 16th 2011.

From inspirational adventurers and campaigners to companies or councils working to improve things for disabled people in their area, the awards celebrate those who are making a difference for disabled drivers, passengers and Blue Badge holders. There are a variety of different categories, which recognise both the contributions, and achievements of individuals and organisations.

In this inaugural year, top sporting award went to the Red Wheelies on their Luton based 5 Wheel Quingo mobility Scooters. The award is for an individual, team or organization, which either by their own sporting achievements or a more organised program of work has encouraged, inspired and enabled people with disabilities to participate in sport.

The Red Wheelies Formation Display Team have now travelled nearly 400 miles on their Quingo Scooters and performed at countless shows and fetes all over the country. They are still celebrating breaking a Guinness World Record where they drove continuously for 24 hours and completed 154 miles, comprehensively smashing the previous record. Most amazing of all, they have achieved all of this while living with Multiple Sclerosis, the catalyst, which brought them all together three years ago.

Helen Dolphin, Director of Policy & Campaigns at Disabled Motoring UK said “The Red Wheelies are a team of determined women all of whom have Multiple Sclerosis and who are out to prove that life is still worth living. The Red Wheelies are highly deserving winners of this award.” A team of judges from Disabled Motoring UK, the British Parking Association and The Lively Crew selected the winners.

Jackie Weeden, team leader of the Wheelies said: “We do what we do for fun and to show other people that there really is life after a diagnoses MS and hopefully to spread MS awareness in a more positive light. Currently too many people think that when they have MS, it’s the end, but it is not! We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our husbands and so we would like to say a big thank you to them, it would be impossible to do this on our own.”

Providing the wheels for the team is Luton based Forever Active with their highly successful 5 wheel Quingo Scooters. Jackie continues “We would also like to thank the ‘Quingo ’ team, they have been absolutely fantastic to us they have supported us through thick and thin and so now we are working on what we are going to do next year”

Mark Nicholls, Managing Director for Forever Active went on to say: "We feel lucky to be able to be a part of the venture helping to raise awareness for MS and help people believe that it can truly mean a new beginning where anything can happen.”

Through their work empowered by Quingo, the Red Wheelies have raised over £20,000 for the MS therapy Centre in Canterbury, Kent. 

REHACARE 2011 Düsseldorf: A great success for Quingo and AVC

This years REHACARE which took place on 21-24 September in Düsseldorf attracted over 47,000 international trade visitors and affected individuals to seek out the latest product and technology provided by 747 exhibitors from 29 countries.

The show coincided with the launch of several new products for Quingo and the perfect opportunity for AVC to expand their international operations.

The All New Quingo Toura and Quingo Vitess were among the product showcased in Germany and these new 5 wheel scooters with their latest take on the 5 wheel phenomenon attracted great interest both with end users and international distributors attending the show.

The show spans 4 days and is the most important trade fair worldwide for rehabilitation, prevention, integration and care. For over 30 years it has created an ideal platform and meeting point for communication between market leaders in the industry, innovative newcomers in the field of products and services, as well as for social organisations, self-help groups and non-commercial institutions.

If you missed it this year the next REHACARE will be held in Düsseldorf from 10 to 13 October 2012.

Red Wheelies nominated for prestigious UK award

The Red Wheelies have been nominated for a prestigious UK award by disabled motoring charity Disabled Motoring UK. The ladies on Quingo's, who are based in Canterbury/Herne Bay, are up for the Mobility Sport Award, which an individual, team or organisation who either by their own sporting achievements, or a more organised program of work and/or engagement, has encouraged, inspired and enabled people with disabilities to participate in sport.

Nominations for this award were considered from all sporting disciplines including, but not limited to, motorsports and official Paralympic sports and came from fellow members of Disabled Motoring UK and feature a range of companies and individuals from around the UK and beyond. Other awards include the Get Going Award, O.A Denly Memorial Award, Happy Holidays Awards and Best Mobility Product Award. A team of judges from Disabled Motoring UK, the British Parking Association and Disabled Motoring UK’s marketing and events team The Lively Crew will decide the winners, to be announced at the Disabled Motoring UK Awards on Friday 16th September 2011, with a ceremony at Goodwood Hotel to coincide with the Goodwood Revival Festival.

Disabled Motoring UK CEO Graham Footer said: “We are delighted to be able to launch this awards scheme which we hope will not only rightly recognise those people and organisations that make such a positive difference to the lives of disabled motorists, but also continue to inspire people to do more. The standard of entry for this year’s awards was very high and it is encouraging to see the level of innovation, care and improvements that are being made and our intention is to continue to grow the awards year on year and continue to highlight best practice.”

See Quingo at REHACARE in Düsseldorf, Germany 21-24.09.11

See the entire Quingo Range, the world's safest 5 wheel scooters with Quintell Technology at Europe's leading healthcare exhibition REHACARE in Düsseldorf.

All visitors are welcome to try the Quingo range. Advanced Vehicle Concepts Ltd stand is in HALL 03 / B40.

The show runs from Wednesday 21st to 24th September 2011.

We look forward to meeting you!

Quingo Vitess is Scootmobiel Platform 'Scooter of the Year 2011-2112'

The New Quingo Vitess has been awarded Scootmobiel Platform 'Scooter of the Year 2011-2112' in Holland. Scootmobiel Platform is the most comprehensive website for anyone who is interested in anything to do with mobility scooters in Holland and the Quingo Vitess has been selected for this prestigious title. More details to follow.

Our best UK exhibition ever!

Once again the Mobility Roadshow has been heralded a huge success by visitors and exhibitors alike and was Quingo's most successful show to date held in the UK. Staged at the East of England Showground, Peterborough for the second consecutive year, there is no doubt that this venue has proved popular.

Mark Nicholls, Managing Director, Forever Active, agreed: “The Mobility Roadshow is the show to be at.”

Quingo launched the all-new Quingo Vitess at the show which was received fantastically well and along with the other models in the range proved hugely popular.

We were also extremely pleased to present Kate Davies with her Guinness World Record Certificate for the 24 hour Challenge that she, Jackie Weeden and the Red Wheelies team completed last month in Kent. They also performed at the show to the large crowd outside the main hall.

Jacqui Jones, Executive Director, Mobility Choice is understandably delighted with the response. We are delighted that the Mobility Roadshow has once again proved so popular and, most important, that so many said they rely on it each year as a valuable source for their future mobility needs.”

This year’s Mobility Roadshow opened with a wealth of product innovation as well as classic mobility solutions for visitors to try out and compare from over 170 exhibitors.

VIP guest on the first day was Private Derek Derenalagi, one of the British soldiers who provided inspiration for the birth of the charity Help for Heroes. Derek lost both his legs in action and now with his bionic legs, is aiming for a place in the GB Paralympics squad. Adding a touch of military ‘glamour’ was the Minden Band of The Queen's Regiment, resplendent in full ceremonial uniform.

A big thank you to everyone who came to visit us!

BHTA membership & OFT approved code for Advanced Vehicle Concepts Limited

Advanced Vehicle Concepts Limited have as of May 2011 joined the BHTA. (British Healthcare Trades Association).

When a company displayed the BHTA badge in the past it simply meant they were a member of Britain's longest established healthcare trades association.

Now, that badge has been joined by the Office of Fair Trading Approved Code logo. That's because the BHTA Code of Practice has been granted full OFT approval under the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS). Only BHTA member companies can display the two together. BHTA is the first trade body within the health industry to have an OFT approved code. The OFT only approves codes that have proved effective in safeguarding and promoting the interests of consumers beyond the basic requirements of the law.

The BHTA has been around for quite a while – it is one of the oldest and most established trade associations and as well as having a lot of history, it also has an important role to play in the future. It is important for the companies producing equipment, for the professionals who work with that equipment and customers who use it to make their lives easier.

The BHTA has over 400 companies members and they range from a small, local showroom selling items such as scooters, wheelchairs, bathlifts and stairlifts, to the largest manufacturers and suppliers in the UK producing and distributing a vast range of products to help from the most sophisticated orthotic device and pressure care systems to the largest installations such as through floor lifts.

One of their most important roles is to maintain the highest standards.

A New Lease of Life

With the hazy days of summer just around the corner, being able to enjoy an active lifestyle is something which many people take for granted. But for 56-year-old Lesley Wood, enjoying the warmer weather will be a life-changing experience this year thanks to her rather unique mobility scooter.

The former pub cleaner, from Collumpton in Devon, will be reaping the benefits of being able to get out and about this summer after suffering from debilitating osteo-arthritis for the past five years.

The condition, which is also known as degenerative joint disease and affects up to 8 million people in the UK alone, has left her with searing and crippling pain in her knees, back, neck and arms.

Unable to climb the stairs, go to work or even stand up, Mrs Wood was forced to rely on her husband to help her carry out day-to-day tasks.

But since she got her Quingo 5 wheel scooter, Mrs Wood says she’s finally got her independence back. She can now enjoy meeting her friends for a coffee, or taking her five grandchildren to play in the park – and she wants to make sure that anyone who suffers from a similar condition knows the benefits of having such a scooter.

She said: “Having my scooter really has changed my life. My osteo-arthritis left me with crippling pain all over my body and I missed out on a lot. I’m only 56 years old, but I had no life at all and so I’m incredibly grateful to the Quingo team for helping me get that back. “Now I’m able to go out for walks with my husband or meet up with my daughter for lunch. You don’t realise just how important being able to get out and about is until you lose it. I finally have my life back and I can now look forward to enjoy the warmer months by going up my garden or down to the park.”

Any mobility scooter is great for those who are looking to get out and about during the summer to visit family, friends or the shops but thanks to its unique 5 wheel design, this particular scooter has the advantage of being incredibly stable and agile in tight spaces, while the multiple seat, armrest and adaptive footplates ensures that Lesley consistently drives maintaining the best possible posture.

Mark Nicholls, Managing Director for scooter firm Forever Active Ltd, added: “We are delighted that Mrs Wood has had such a positive experience with her scooter. We always appreciate hearing about the genuine benefits that our five wheel mobility scooters bring as they are much more stable and easy to move with the extra fifth wheel. We went to a lot of trouble designing a product that combined the best practical safety features with the best possible posture control. It is particularly gratifying to hear that Mrs Wood is reaping the benefits from her Quingo and long may it continue.”

We may have lost Eurovision... again, but we got a new Guinness World Record...

The first ever 24 Hour Mobility Scooter Endurance Challenge took place over the weekend on the tarmac cycle track at Fowlmead Country Park near Deal in Kent and a brand new Guinness World Record was set! The Red Wheelies have set a new world record for the longest distance travelled on a mobility scooter within a 24 hour period – covering a massive 154 miles (248km).

The previous world record was held by Haidar Talib from the United Arab Emirates, who travelled 88 miles (142km) from Masdar City to Sharjah Al Thiqa Club on November 11 last year.

This challenge was undertaken by The Red Wheelies Mobility Scooter Formation Display Team on a 20 strong fleet of 5 wheel Quingo’s, with Pit Lane Support being provided by Quingo’s specialist team of engineers and mechanics. All the Red Wheelies team members have Multiple Sclerosis and drove through most of the night but the 24 Hour Challenge was just another day for them.

Jackie Weeden, Red Wheelies leader, takes up the story: “We are utterly exhausted but totally ecstatic! Our aim was to have fun and raise awareness of Multiple Sclerosis in a more positive light and we hope we’ve done that.

By completing the Challenge successfully we have shown that if you are diagnosed with the condition you don’t have to stop living a full life. In fact, you can do things other people can’t!”

Quingo’s Mark Nicholls says the company was delighted to support The Red Wheelies, all money raised will go to new facilities at the Kent MS Therapy Centre in Canterbury where all the team are members.

“This really was the biggest challenge that The Red Wheelies have undertaken and while there were plenty of thrills there were no spills, thanks to Quingo’s 5 wheel agility, stability.”

Jackie Weeden from The Red Wheelies again: “While our legs may have let us down, the scooters give us back our independence. Our philosophy is that we might have to accept the odd limitation but we certainly aren’t going to give up.

Wheelies feel that with a positive attitude and a sense of humour we can achieve what might appear to be impossible. After all, not everyone can say they are a world record holder, can they?”

The Duchess of Cornwall who became an honorary member last year will be informed.

A World Record and everyone is invited...

Everyone is welcome down to Fowlmead Country Park in Kent over the weekend of 14th & 15th May to support the Red Wheelies record setting effort which runs from 1.00 p.m. on Saturday to 1.00 p.m. on Sunday. The FUNDAY has many additional attraction including a traditional funfair, classic car/bike show, hog roast, BBQ and Search and Rescue Dog display. The event is open from Saturday 11.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. and Sunday 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m and all proceeds go to the Kent MS Therapy Centre fund. Your support is greatly appreciated! For those with Sar Nav, the postcode is CT14 0BF.

Mark Nicholls explained “This really is the biggest challenge that The Red Wheelies have ever undertaken and we will be doing whatever we can to help them gain a coveted place in the Guinness Book of World Records.”

Good luck ladies!!!

For the latest information visit www.redwheelies.com

The first ever 'Red Wheelie' 24 hr Mobility Scooter Endurance Challenge

While things are stepping up in France in preparation for the Le Mans 24 hour endurance race in a corner of England similar preparations are underway for another 24 hr endurance challenge taking place 14/15 May 2011.

This is the first 24 hr mobility scooter endurance challenge and the chance of a Guinness World Record. 'The Greatest Distance covered in 24 hours on a mobility scooter'. The event is being organised by The Red Wheelie Mobility Scooter Formation Team.

Jackie Weeden, Red Wheelie leader explained "All the Red Wheelie team members have Multiple Sclerosis and our aims are to have fun, raise awareness of Multiple Sclerosis in a more positive light, try to show that if you are diagnosed with the condition you don't have to stop living and to show while our legs may let us down our scooters can give us back our independence. Our philosophy is that we might have to accept the odd limitation but we certainly aren't going to give up. Wheelies feel that with a positive attitude and a sense of humour you, yourself, can achieve what might appear to be impossible. We the Wheelies are determined to prove MS does not mean must stop."

Taking place at Fowlmead Country Park, Nr Deal, Kent on the tarmac cycle track the event is being organised by the team to raise funds for the rebuilding of the new Centre for the Kent MS Therapy Centre in Canterbury where all the team are members. A ‘wheelie’ fun weekend for all the family is envisaged with a traditional funfair, hog roast, bbq Search and Rescue dogs and lots lots more.

Jackie continued "This is not the first time we have undertaken feats on our scooters, previously we have ‘walked’ Hadrian’s Wall (in 2009) a distance of 84 miles and last year ‘walked’ from Winchester Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral via the St Swithun’s Way and the North Downs Way this time 150 miles. But we are perhaps best known for our mobility scooter formation routines. We decided to do something completely different this year!

If you would like to hear more about us and our story we have a website www.redwheelies.co.uk where more can be seen about us and our endeavours. We are only to happy to talk about us and our experiences and can be contacted either by email redwheelies@googlemail.com or by phone on 07801 383171."

Quingo are delighted to be part of the challenge and will be providing Pit Lane Support to their fleet of Quingo Vitess's throughout the weekend. Keep your diary free, everyone is invited!!!

How stable are the competition?

The results of the latest independent testing of the Quingo range against competitor products are in.

The report was carried out by a leading systems and engineering technology company Frazer-Nash Consultancy. The tests carried out stability analysis for three manoeuvres that are representative of day-to-day use and were selected as those most likely to induce a vehicle tip over.

Products on test were the 5 wheel Quingo Sport and the new Quingo Vitess while the competitor products were the Booster Trophy, the Handicare Winner and Merits S133, all of which are 3-wheeled vehicles. The test comprised of the following scenarios:

Scenario 1: Turning at full-lock on the flat (at a range of speeds) on a flat surface.
In this test both the Quingo Vitess and Sport were shown to be significantly more stable on the flat regardless of the speed.

Scenario 2: Turning at full-lock on an incline (at a range of speeds) on a 1:6 inclined surface. This test showed the same outcome with the Quingo’s by far the the most stable however the margin of advantage with 5 wheels widened further.

Scenario 3: Descending a kerb at an angle( at a range of kerb heights)
THis final test reveals that both the Quingo models are able to descend the highest kerbs without tipping while the 3-wheel models all tip at significantly lower heights .

In summary, this latest report further demonstrates the genuine benefits of the 5 wheel Quingo over traditional mobility scooters. To get a copy of the full report please contact us.

Quingo products achieve TUV approval

The all new Quingo Vitess and its larger brother the Quingo Sport have been single vehicle certificated for TUV approval at TUV Rhineland Cologne. TUV is recognised as the premier approval for safety and quality in over 50 countries world wide.

The TUV test encompasses the quality of build which includes the durability of components, welding quality, removal of sharp or dangerous edges, ergonomic design in terms of safety/operation and correct lighting and labelling. The vehicles must also conform to the Vehicle Licensing Order (FZV - German Specification).

Fred Brown of Advanced Vehicle Concepts commented "The team are delighted that these products are now approved, it means a lot of new opportunities and a great future for the Quingo. The Quingo range is truly the "Best in Class" in the world markets."

The all new 5 wheel Quingo Vitess

Advanced Vehicle Concepts are please to introduce the very latest in 5 wheel scooter development. As the world’s only manufacturers of 5 wheeled mobility scooters AVC are committed to maintaing their market leading products by consistently integrating customer feedback to fuel new designs.

The new Quingo Vitess has over 45 new features and benefits including an all new digital display with night illumination and easy to operate controls, improvements across steering, brakes and suspension, a new ergonomic seat, better access on and off the vehicle, brighter more efficient light kit, even a new 12V power socket to use with Sat Nav, iPod or any other standard 12V accessory and all encapsulated in an all new 'Fine line' body design.

Mark Nicholls, managing director for mobility scooter manufacturers Forever Active Ltd, said: “The Vitess, packed with a whole range of added benefits, ensures we continue our pioneering work within the mobility scooter market.”

The new model is one of five models within the range alongside the affordable Quingo Classic, high-performing Quingo Plus, high-powered Quingo Sport and transportable Quingo Air.

Mark added: “Users can also benefit from a range of accessories including heated hand grips, bags and covers and the soon to be released Quingo Arc which is an 'All-weather Removable Canopy offering the user the opportunity to travel come rain or shine.” If you would lik to know more about the Quingo Vitess or any other Quingo in the range please call 0800 085 8545.

We'd be happy to help.

Red Wheelies & Quingo hit the big stage

FSky1’s reality talent show Got To Dance was host the Red Wheelies latest delve onto British television when they were asked by the show to take part in auditions. The judges are Ashley Banjo, leader and choreographer of BGT winners Diversity, West End star Adam Garcia and Pussycat Doll Kimberley Wyatt.

Manoeuvring in such a small area would be a serious issue for traditional scooters but with their special fleet of 5 wheeled Quingos, the ladies performed superbly both for the live audience and the cameras. Well done ladies!!