Engineers’ solution for veteran’s charity
Vic Young Conversions, a division of Vic Young (South Shields) Ltd, has developed a specialist multipurpose vehicle for the Forward Assist Veteran Support Charity.
The vehicle – a Ford Transit Jumbo minibus – will provide free transport to former service personnel, including those with reduced mobility. It will help to reduce social isolation and promote community engagement.
Forward Assist Veteran Support Charity provides advice, information, ‘life changing’ projects and opportunities to former service personnel who are experiencing difficulties in adjusting to their new lives as civilians.
The minibus has been converted to a high technical specification and has been designed with the needs, comfort and safety of the passengers in mind. Using the shell of the minibus, Vic Young Conversions customised the interior structure to accommodate one wheelchair and 14 passengers.
The vehicle includes removable seats, allowing for a fully customised interior space and fitting of wheelchairs, full height rear door for easy access and a rearentry electrical/hydraulic wheelchair lift in order to enter or exit the vehicle safely.
Tony Wright Founder & CEO Forward Assist said “We are delighted with the quality of the conversion work carried out by Vic Young Conversions. The fact we now have a wheelchair accessible minibus will enable us to expand our geographical footprint from localised interventions to nationwide support for Military Veterans in need of our life changing support.”
Vic Young, Managing Director at Vic Young Conversions and Vic Young South Shields, adds: “Forward Assist is a fantastic charity which does excellent work in the North East and it really does make a difference. I think it is important that there are charities like Forward Assist to give the support that is needed to former service personnel who are finding it difficult to start their lives as civilians or need to access support for mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder.”
Over the years Vic Young Conversions has developed conversions for various specialist vehicles including a revolutionary ‘Electric Oven Van’ for Sodexo, a leading UK catering supplier, and a private ambulance for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Gateshead. Vic Young Conversions has also gained a reputation in the industry for solving operating and design problems using cutting-edge techniques and state-of-theart technology.
For further information visit www.vicyoung.co.uk