Seven-year-old Ferrari mad Robbie Bayles was given the ultimate Christmas present last month when wheelchair supplier Recare and Ferrari dealer JCT600 Brooklands delivered a bespoke Ferrari inspired red’ GTE Trekinetic powerchair in a Ferrari F8 Tributo.
Access & Mobility Professional reports that Robbie, from Darlington, has arthrogryposis, a rare condition that severely affects his joints and results in mobility difficulties. He has been pushed around in a manual wheelchair since birth but has always wanted to gain independence with a power chair he could drive himself.
Sadly, his family finances wouldn’t allow for his ultimate dream power chair, the state-of-the-art F1 inspired, GTE from Trekinetic, which has featured in science fiction movies.
Sarah, Robbie’s Mum, says: “When Robbie trialled a Trekinetic GTE powerchair from Recare, he was so excited he didn’t sleep that night! He tested it around a gravel circuit and kept shouting ‘box, box, box’ as if he was coming into the pits. He absolutely loves F1 and has asked for a Ferrari inspired red powerchair. Afterwards, he said the trial was the best day of his life!”
Sarah began a fundraising campaign, hoping to reach the target of £10,000, which was achieved within months, thanks to the efforts of family and friends, and even managing to leave extra donations to other families with disabled children.
Oxfordshire-based Recare, a distributor of Trekinetic wheelchairs, was contacted by Robbie’s mum, who then planned the surprise delivery in time for Christmas.
The Holland-Oakes family who own Recare are Ferrari and F1 followers, so were delighted to organise a bespoke GTE with ‘Ferrari inspired red’ integrated into its carbon fibre monocoque design.
Recare also approached JCT600 Brooklands – Ferrari in Leeds to see if there was a possibility they could make Robbie’s powerchair delivery even more special, and they kindly agreed.
Andrew Potts, General Manager of JCT600 Brooklands – Ferrari, said: “Knowing Robbie is a big F1 fan, it only seemed fitting to provide him with an experience he won’t forget and to extend that into next year. We hope he enjoys his gifts and we look forward to him joining us in support of Team JCT600 for one of the Ferrari Challenge races in 2021.”
If you’re looking for power-assisted baths for anyone with mobility difficulties, and interested in finding out more information call us on 01491 411041 or visit our website.
18 January,2021
