Motability assists Allen’s pet charity
ALLEN Parton was seriously injured in a road traffic accident while serving in the Royal Navy in the Gulf War in 1991.
A head injury kept him in hospital for five years, and even after that it’s been a long recovery, helped considerably by assistance dogs — and the Motability Scheme.
Allen is one of more than 600,000 disabled people who opt to use their mobility allowance to lease a car, powered wheelchair or scooter through the Motability Scheme.
He says: ‘We got our first car 21 years ago and it’s like joining an exclusive club — a Motability family. The scheme is there to help you and knowing that you’ve got back-up and you’re not on your own if a problem arises gives you real peace of mind.
‘My car gives me the freedom and independence I need to for my hectic life!’
Being mobile has also helped Allen set up the charity Hounds for Heroes, which provides assistance dogs to injured and disabled personnel from the Armed Forces and civilian emergency services.
Under the Motability Scheme, qualifying customers can lease a new car every three years, with insurance, road tax, servicing, tyres and breakdown cover all included.
They can choose from a range of vehicles, including wheelchair accessible models (WAVs). Many need a larger, and often more expensive car to take account of their disability, family size and any equipment they need. In these cases, a customer makes an upfront non-refundable payment, known as an Advance Payment, to the Motability Scheme dealer.
Lease lengths are typically three years for cars and five years for WAVs. At the end of the lease, most customers hand back their car and enter into another agreement. In some specific circumstances, customers may be able to use the car for longer.
Two-thirds of customers drive, but those who do not can lease a car as a passenger. Parents or carers can also apply on behalf of a child aged three and above. The car must be used by, or for the benefit of, the disabled person.