28th June 2006
NEW COACH FOR RESIDENTS OF THE ROYAL STAR & GARTER HOME
Despite being a wet Monday morning, residents of The Royal Star & Garter Home, Richmond Hill, gathered on the forecourt to see their brand new coach arrive.
The new coach was commissioned from the IVECO WING Company after several vehicles were tested with the Home’s residents. The chosen vehicle delivered this week will be able to carry six residents in wheelchairs plus their escorts in a spacious and comfortable environment. The coach, in Royal Star & Garter colours of Royal blue, red, gold and white, boasts top of the range features ensuring maximum comfort and safety, including an automatic rear lift for easy and safe wheelchair access, air conditioning, ample storage space, and a CD player and microphone. The large windows allow panoramic views for passengers.
The coach was purchased with funds donated by the Home’s supporters and Lynn McDougall, Chief Executive of the Home, thanked all those who had contributed, including Mr Drummond Taylor, who made a substantial gift in memory of his wife Joan and her father, Captain James Long who was killed at the Somme in 1916. Mr Taylor’s daughter Mrs Helen Robinson attended the coach launch, along with Colin Smith and a group of volunteers who work all year round raising funds for the Home’s residents, and Mr Alan Baker from the Queen Mary Roehampton Trust who also contributed. Among other contributions was a gift from The Allan Willett Foundation.
Resident Ernie Small, who loves going on the many outings organised by the Home, then cut a ribbon to declare the coach open for business! Derek Traylen was the first resident to be hoisted aboard via the rear lift. The coach then made several trips round Richmond Park so residents could get on board and try out their new transport.
The coach made its first official trip out with residents to the National Veterans Day commemorations at the Imperial War Museum on Tuesday 27th June. Residents are looking forward to many more trips in the coming months to the seaside, sporting events, shopping trips and places of interest.
About the Royal Star & Garter Charity
The Royal Star & Garter Home, an independent registered charity based in Richmond, has been caring for disabled ex-Service personnel since 1916. The Charity offers the best in nursing and residential care plus a range of therapies. There are also a wide variety of leisure activities available for our residents to enjoy, both inside and outside the Home. In future years, The Royal Star & Garter Charity intends to build new homes, in the Richmond area and elsewhere, in which to provide specialist care for the elderly disabled, and for those with dementia for whom there is very little provision at present.
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FURTHER INFO: Rebecca Spencer, Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator TEL: 020 8439 8118 or EMAIL: rebecca.spencer@starandgarter.org