A CHARITY which is celebrating its 50th year has helped more than 100,000 people with disabilities.

The Remap charity was founded in 1964 to make customised equipment for people with disabilities free of charge.

The South Buckinghamshire Panel is a branch of the national Remap charity.

Experienced and professional engineers, craftsmen and health professionals volunteer their time and expertise, working together to provide innovative, practical solutions to what are often everyday problems encountered by disabled people.

Nora, a resident in her early 90s at Abbeyfield Supported Sheltered Housing in Princes Risborough, was in the habit of going into town on her own to visit the library.

When she suffered a stroke which affected her balance she became increasingly worried about falling down the stairs as her room is on the first floor.

After she began to spend more time alone in her room an occupational therapist at Wycombe Hospital referred Nora to Remap, whose engineers were able to come up with a solution.

To stabilise the walker, a tubular runner was mounted on the wall opposite the top of the stairs, and two sprung ball-end shafts were fitted to the frame, one on either side.

Nora simply feeds the end of the appropriate shaft into the runner and can cross the landing confidently in the knowledge the walker is secured.

Nora said: "This gadget makes it safe for me to walk across the top of the stairs and has made a world of difference. It’s 100% successful."

The volunteers carry out a full consultation with each client to understand their specific needs.

Using this information they design and build bespoke equipment, or adapt existing equipment, enabling the individual to overcome challenges in undertaking everyday tasks and activities - providing solutions to problems that cannot be answered by commercially available equipment.

Adam Rowe, CEO of Remap, said: "Remap has been transforming lives for 50 years based upon selfless support from our volunteers. Every piece of equipment enables people to try and undertake everyday tasks or help them achieve their ambitions. I look forward to the next generation of volunteers signing up to volunteer with us to continue changing people’s lives."

Go to www.remap-southbucks.org.uk