Volunteers at Orange hospital are angry at the theft of a $500 wheelchair donated to them in memory of a member’s wife.
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The chair was one of three provided by the Wayfinders to assist people in need move around the hospital.
However co-ordinator Gary Scovell said the chair had been stolen.
He said it had a small plate with the words “In memory of Nancy Hogan” who passed away after suffering cancer.
“It’s so bloody disappointing,” he said.
Mr Scovell said the wheelchair had been missing since October but he was concerned that all their chairs were constantly at threat of being stolen.
He said he had placed a brace on the other two to stop them being folded by people to put into their cars.
However, he said one person recently put a wheelchair on a ute and tried to drive it from the hospital – only to be stopped by the car park boom gate.
“As Wayfinders we used to use the hospital wheelchairs but nine times out of 10 they weren’t in a fit state to use,” he said.
“So we decided to provide our own.”
Mr Scovell said the chairs cost $260 each.
“People take them out to the carpark and leave them down the road, you can’t police it,” he said.
“We are volunteers, we have used donated funds to provide these wheelchairs for people who visit the hospital and need them.
“This recent theft has placed a blight on our efforts as volunteers to continue to provide the assistance to the public which we are renowned for.
“To say the least I am extremely disappointed with the theft of this wheelchair.”
Mr Scovell said the wheelchairs were in constant demand at the hospital.
He said that on one shift he volunteered this week the chairs were needed four times to move people around the hospital and out to the carpark.