PRIME MINISTER, TONY BLAIR CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF MOTABILITY WITH AN ASIAN MAN FROM NORTH LONDON
(4th December 2002)

This was a day to remember for Nigel Singh from Wood Green, after he accepted the keys to his new Motability Scheme Ford Fiesta from the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Tony Blair, MP, at Downing Street. The vehicle handover celebrated the start of Motability's Silver Jubilee. Since the charity's inception 25 years ago, 1.5 million vehicles have been supplied to disabled people across the UK, providing personal independence and increased mobility.

The Scheme currently supplies 150,000 new cars every year. Motability is a national UK charity, which helps disabled people and their families to become mobile, by enabling them to use their Government funded disability allowances, to lease or buy a car, powered wheelchair, or scooter.

Mr. Singh has two metallic valves in his heart to help his heart condition. He also has lung problems and can only walk a maximum of 20 yards. He has had three previous vehicles on the Motability Scheme, which have allowed him to continue to drive and enjoy his love of reading and history, by giving him access to libraries and museums.

Mr. Singh said: "My Motability Scheme car is the difference between me going out and not. Without it, I would find it very difficult to have any mobility. It is my freedom."

The Chairman of Ford Motor Company Limited, Roger Putnam, said: "Like Motability, Ford is committed to helping people with disabilities, such as Mr. Singh, to get mobile. Two and a half years ago, we took our commitment to this important group of motorists one stage further, by launching MAGIC (Mobility and General Information Centre.) MAGIC is our free telephone information service for disabled and mature drivers and can be called on 0800 240 241 by anyone in the UK, regardless of what make of car they drive. To date over 220,000 people have called MAGIC to request free motoring and mobility information, a statistic we're justifiably proud of."

Click here to visit the Ford MAGIC website.