Use: Immediate                                                     Issue Date: Thursday 24 March 2005

Children with mobility difficulties will find a visit to the main outdoor recreation areas in Inverness much easier and more enjoyable thanks to a new dual tandem wheelchair bicycle, which will be available for use free or charge from its base at the Floral Hall, Bught Park.

The Duet is of German design and manufacture and is easy and safe to use, offering new horizons for users. Within seconds the wheel chair can be detached from the frame for all round mobility.

The Floral Hall was chosen by Play Highland, an organisation which comprises services from The Highland Council and volunteer organisations involved in children’s play, as the base for the Duet because of the safe cycling opportunities around the Bught Park area.

Councillor David Alston, a member of Play Highland, said: "Lifescan Scotland Limited kindly gave us a donation and we decided to purchase this special tandem bicycle which is customised for children who are disabled and who have mobility difficulties. I’m sure parents will find the bike a great help and children using it will be comfortably able to enjoy visits around the Bught recreational area. "

LifeScan Scotland Limited, a Johnson & Johnson company, has supported several Play Highland initiatives in recent years with donations to purchase play equipment at Ormlie in Thurso, Culbokie on the Black Isle, and in Dingwall a basket swing for children with disabilities to help promote inclusive play. 

Mike Crowe, Managing Director of LifeScan Scotland said: "LifeScan Scotland value their link with Play Highland and are pleased to be once more involved in an initiative that gives so much pleasure to the young members of our community here in the Highlands.  As an organisation we see ourselves as a part of the infrastructure of the area committed to developing facilities and helping those with special needs wherever practically possible. This is an excellent scheme."

Parents and guardians of children wishing to use the tandem bicycle, known as a Duet, should telephone the Floral Hall reception in advance on 01463 713553 to arrange a time for booking the bicycle for up to two-hours.

The Floral Hall is open seven days a week from 10 am until 5 pm.

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Date Last updated : 24/03/05