Toyota Backs Disabled Group in Historic 100-Mile Ramble

Toyota is the first manufacturer to sponsor a team of wheelchair bound ramblers from around the country when they trek from Bath to Maidenhead next month (6 –11 September 1999) across the rugged Ridgeway.

The ‘Toyota 100-mile Endurance Ramble’ is being organised by the Countryside Access Group (CAG), which is affiliated with the Disabled Drivers’ Association (DDA), and is committed to ensuring access to the great outdoors for people with disabilities.

Chairman of the CAG, Dr Mike Brunton, said high-profile rambles such as the Toyota 100-mile Endurance Ramble helped raise national awareness of the fact that disabled people, given the chance, enjoyed access to the country in the same way as able-bodied people.

“Unfortunately there are many unnecessary barriers and difficulties facing disabled people in the countryside,” he said. “There is nothing quite like the feeling of freedom you get from a country ramble and we appreciate all those involved in making this historic ramble come to fruition.”

A Toyota Previa will be provided as emergency backup and to carry supplies such as spare wheelchair batteries. At the end of each day the vehicle will also take the team and their equipment to accommodation for the night.

Toyota dealers along the route are providing refreshments and encouraging community support for the ramblers, who begin the endurance ramble at Roman Toyota in Bath on 6 September 1999 with an official send off by the Mayor of Bath Mr. John Bailey.

Using a mix of wheelchairs and off-road electric scooters, the team will follow the Kennet and Avon Canal as far as Devizes before swinging north to Avebury. It then crosses the Ridgeway through to Goring-on-Thames and then minor lanes down to Reading. The ramble also takes in Bradford-on-Avon, Trowbridge and Swindon.

The ramblers will visit Fish Brothers Toyota in Swindon and Octagon Toyota in Reading before arriving at Maidenhead for celebrations at Whichford Toyota. On each occasion the team will be welcomed by the local Borough Mayors.

Head of Toyota Motability, Special Sales Manager Neal Standen said Toyota, who recently helped raise more than £4,000 for the DDA, was proud to be associated with the team and felt the sponsorship again demonstrated Toyota’s commitment to providing disabled people with reliable lifestyle enhancing transport.

“We know that access to independent transport and the associated freedoms can dramatically change peoples lives,” he said. “Our Toyota Motability Specialists, who offer advice to drivers about vehicle suitability and the type and cost of any adaptation they may require, have rewarding roles helping people on the road to independent travel.”

The ramblers will be in:

• Bath – on Monday 6 September
• Swindon – on Wednesday 8 September
• Reading – on Saturday 11 September (am)
• Maidenhead – on Saturday 11 September (pm)

ENDS