BURNHAM loses its British Red Cross mobility aids centre next month, meaning many people will have to pay a £20 delivery and collection charge to hire equipment.

The Red Cross provides shortterm loans of wheelchairs and other equipment, including backrests, bath seats and walking frames, to help people keep mobile after an accident or illness.

The lease on the centre at Victoria Court ends next month as the building is no longer suitable for the needs of the service.

It is felt to be too small and means equipment cannot easily be cleaned and maintained.

Spokesman Rebecca McIlhone said although the delivery and pick-up charge would now apply, it was essentially a free service which provided people with important equipment which they wouldn’t usually get on the NHS.

She added: “We are offering a service that fills a gap as the NHS doesn’t usually offer equipment on a short-term basis such as six months or less.

“A few people may now have to pay the delivery charge rather than travel to Bridgwater or Taunton to collect items.

“But it may be the case some people would not have been able to pick up items from Burnham anyway and would have had to use the delivery service which has been running for some time.”

The Red Cross said it would like to thank all its service users as well as its team of dedicated volunteers, many of whom will now continue to volunteer at the nearby Bridgwater and Taunton centres.

Independent living service manager Tracey Miller said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank our service users and fantastic volunteers for supporting the service over the years.

“We would also be interested in hearing from other organisations, including hospitals and health centres, which might be able to offer us the use of a room on an occasional basis to allow us to store equipment and hold appointments with members of the public during which they can borrow equipment and return it to us when they have finished with it.

“The room will need to have disability access and parking facilities.”

The mobility aids centre in Burnham will remain open until Friday, December 19.

After that people can access the service at Red Cross House, Taunton, phone 01823-273746 or Salmon Parade, Bridgwater, telephone 01278-451797.

To arrange for items to be delivered call 01823-273746.