Blind Veterans UK has added six new Transporters to its fleet of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
The fleet includes 25 Transporters, two Caddys and two Crafter minibuses and is used to transport members between their residential address and the two centres in Brighton, Sussex and Llandudno, Wales.
The UK-based charity helps blind and vision impaired ex-service personnel regain their independence and discover life after sight loss. Since conception in 1915, the charity has helped over 15,000 ex-service men and women who have lost their sight.
Each centre provides professional support, care and training to help blind veterans enjoy life beyond sight loss, starting by helping people to understand the implications of their vision impairment.
The Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle was chosen for its outstanding comfort and spacious interior allowing the charity to transport up to seven veterans at a time. The vast range of safety technologies promises a stress-free journey with features such as Front Assist and City Emergency Braking which are standard on all Volkswagen vans. Blind Veterans UK also has 14 vehicles that feature tip and fold seats to facilitate wheelchair access, which has increased from just three wheelchair conversions in 2016. The additional features have been added by approved converters, GM Coachwork LTD.
Furthermore, the charity has selected BlueMotion Technology across its fleet, offering higher fuel efficiency for a full value for money package; a key requirement in the charity sector.
Blind Veterans UK’s work ranges from helping veterans relearn vital life skills and providing them with the tools they need to be independent in their own homes, by offering new learning, training and recreational opportunities as well as providing long-term nursing, residential and respite care.
Gary Norman, Operations Lead at Blind Veterans UK said: “Many of our veterans depend on us to get to and from our centres so a reliable fleet is an essential part of our service. We have a great relationship with JCB Group in Portslade who provide exceptional aftersales with service discounts, which is one of the many reasons we continue to stay loyal to the brand. We also believe it’s important to provide our drivers with a pleasant working environment so additional features, such as air conditioning and cruise control, are an added bonus for us.”
David Hanna, Head of Fleet for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with such a valuable charity that represents the service men and women of Britain. We pride ourselves on offering a great service before and after the sale of our vans so it’s good to know that companies, especially charities, are experiencing the benefits of our efforts.”
For more details on Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ award-winning range of products and services, or to find your nearest Van Centre, please visit www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk.
