After 34 years of service, the Mobility Roadshow has come to an end. The event began in 1983, and became something of a regular event on many mobility company calendars. However, as times have changed and the industry has evolved, interest has declined. Partly, this is down to the growth of alternative gatherings, like the Motability One Big Day, which Mobility Roadshow exhibitors can attend free of charge.
The charity Mobility Choice has been the hand at the Roadshow’s wheel since 1988, helping to roll it out across the country and hosting numerous successful events over the years. Shutting it down wasn’t an easy choice for the charity to make – but falling exhibitor numbers left it with little alternative. Mobility Choice’s chairperson, Ann Frye, made the following comments about the decision:
“We are immensely sad that we have to close the event. We still believe that there are many disabled and older people, outside the remit of Motability, who need the unique opportunity we offered to find out if they are able to begin driving.”
Nonetheless, Ms. Frye said there is hope on the horizon, as the charity is in discussion with Driving Mobility (a charity which represents the UK’s mobility centres) and Disability Driving Instructors to “organise local events under our “Get Going Live!” banner which focuses on driving opportunities for young and newly disabled people.”
Information over the future of these possible events will be made available in due course by Driving Mobility on its website (drivingmobility.org.uk). Ms. Frye concluded by expressing her thanks to Motability, who sponsored the Roadshow:
“We would like to say that we are enormously grateful to Motability for their generous sponsorship of the Mobility Roadshow and Get Going Live! events over the years, both in terms of financial support and the provision of vehicles for adapted test drives.”
