A charity that provides mobility scooters and wheelchairs to Watford residents and visitors celebrated its eighteenth anniversary yesterday.

Shopmobility Watford, based at the Church car park, in Exchange Road, held an open day to mark the event, with service users, volunteers and Mayor Dorothy Thornhill celebrating its anniversary.

The organisation, started in 1993, offers its services to anyone who has a mobility issue, whether it be from disability, pregnancy, accident or age.

Chairman Owen Parry has been disabled his entire life. He has been with the charity since its inception and is thrilled with how it has flourished from its humble beginnings in an office in the Charter Place car park.

He said: “We have come such a long way. It’s a fantastic achievement. I don’t think when we started we would have imagined after all this time we would have our own room and be helping so many people.

“We have around 50 volunteers who help out in the community. They all do such good work to help those who are less able to get around the town.

“Being disabled since birth has never stopped me from doing what I wanted. I have got married and have had a job since I was 18. I hope that this charity gives people the same opportunity to do everything they want.”

Mary Maynard has volunteered at the charity for 15 years. She said that after her early retirement she wanted to do something to help people.

She said: “I was looking to make a difference and make people happy. I have seen it from both sides because I now use the service to get around easier. l think the work the volunteers do is wonderful.”

Mayor Dorothy Thornhill praised work done at the charity and says that it plays a vitally important role in the town.

“The work the volunteers do is the heartbeat of the town and Watford’s heartbeat is strong."

Despite the celebration the charity needs more money to continue its work. Mr Parry says there are several fundraising events lined including a quiz and game night later on in the year.

For more information visit http://www.shopmobilitywatford.org

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