OUR FIRST ANNUAL REPORT - UP TO JUNE 2007

A year ago, Geoff discovered the worldwide need relating to the supply of wheelchairs to disabled poor people in the developing world. 

Being a wheelchair-user himself, having lost both legs in a Train accident 35years ago, he immediately began to talk about the need to others and soon generated enough support to start a charity dedicated to supplying wheelchairs to those in need.  

He wrote to his Member of Parliament, Mr Mike Penning (MP) that resulted in him fully endorsing the project. Taking Geoff’s letter to the House of Commons, he obtained some support from members in the House plus some from the House of Lords.  A new Charity was born.

He contacted the local Newspaper, and prominent people in the Hemel Hempstead area. The Mayor of Hemel Hempstead, his home town, expressed her support.

By attending conferences in London, where there were large numbers of attendees, Geoff attracted some sponsors and one in particular, arranged for a collection to be made from fellow speakers and participants, resulting in pledges of over £10,000!  Similar events produced £7,000 and £2,000 in smaller pledges.

Other companies showed an interest and one in particular, www.speeducation.com/yes (USA) adopted the project as their official charity and have incorporated it into their website. New members who make a donation will have their donation matched, so for £25 ($50) the company will donate the other half to provide a wheelchair! If other websites did the same the goal of 130,000,000 wheelchairs will be met. The internet community is huge and there are thousands of websites that could copy  www.speeducation.com/herts (UK).

A good start has been made and it is hoped our first container will soon be dispatched. You can help by donating today at www.bgitulsa.org and going to our online secure facility. We are a registered 503 not-for-profit organisation, registered in Tulsa OKLAHOMA (USA) under the umbrella of Bridge the Gap International.

ANY AMOUNT CAN BE DONATED. A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT WILL BE ISSUED TO USA RESIDENTS.

To those in other countries, you are welcome to donate but no tax – deductible receipt will be issued.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Although Geoff resides in the UK the charity is a WORLDWIDE APPEAL and all people are invited to donate to relieve the suffering of the disabled in many countries, Geoff attracted some sponsors and one in particular, arranged for a collection to be made from fellow speakers and participants, resulting in pledges of over £10,000!  Similar events produced £7,000 and £2,000 in smaller pledges.