Northumberland brothers launch new caravan wheelchair lift
The Belford Transfer Lift uses a hoist to improve caravan and motorhome access
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Friday, 15, Jun 2012 10:13
by Tom Lowenstein
Two Northumberland brothers are hoping to make caravan holidays accessible to all with their new business - a hoist that easily lifts wheelchair users into touring vehicles.
However, while Jim and John Little's invention could revolutionise touring holidays for those who thought them inaccessible, the pair did not set out to launch a new business.
The Belford Transfer Lift was created so that Jim and his wife Carol could continue enjoying their touring trips after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
"It was never built as a commercial venture," John told the Northumberland Gazette. "It was built out of necessity."
Yet after receiving encouragement from enterprise development organisation Business Link the brothers were backed by Northstar Ventures and took their invention into production.
They are now touring the hoist around trade shows in the hope of drumming up business.
"It certainly works, that's for sure," remarked John. "The best thing is that you don't have to alter the vehicle, so if you sell it you can sell it as a standard caravan or motorhome."
Including installation, the lift is being sold for £4,995, but that could offer a saving of thousands for people considering converting their vehicle to make it wheelchair-friendly.
For more information on the Belford Transfer Lift, click here, or watch the video below to see this lift in action: