Dolphin Lifts Group Shows a Charitable Side as Part of 25 Year Anniversary Celebrations

The Dolphin Lifts Group celebrated 25 years of trading in 2013 and to mark the occasion, Dolphin branches around the country donated products and services to deserving causes in their local areas.

Newport-based Dolphin Stairlifts South Wales saw a double celebration with its 15th anniversary falling in the same year. The team decided to approach Age Cymru Gwent, where Eileen Powell immediately recommended 92-year-old Jessie Williams from Newport as a worthy recipient for a donation. Jessie had been unable to leave hospital following a fall which resulted in a fractured leg, because her family was concerned about her mobility and whether she could use the stairs as part of her daily routine.

Her eldest son, Robert, explained: “Thanks to this amazing donation from Dolphin Stairlifts, our mother was able to return home and retain her independence. My younger brother Chris and I now have peace of mind knowing that our mother can go up and down the stairs without fearing a fall.” John Pearce, Managing Director, Dolphin Stairlifts South Wales, said: “To mark 15 successful years, and the Group’s 25th anniversary, we decided we would like to make a real difference to someone’s life by donating a stair lift. When Eileen told me about Jessie I knew we had to do all we could to ensure she could leave hospital and return home and we were so glad she was able to remain independent, without worrying about the stairs.”

Matt Pettet, Director at Dolphin Lifts Kent, donated £1,000 to the Demelza Hospice in Sittingbourne, to mark the milestone. This however was not just a one-off donation, but has become an annual one, since Demelza needs to raise over £10,000 each day just to keep its Kent and Eltham hospices running. Matt said: “We had been looking for a suitable way to celebrate 25 years and also support a local charity. We felt that with the amount Demelza needs to raise each year to keep its hospices going, an annual donation would be perfect. All the staff members do an amazing job in supporting so many children and their families, and I hope our donation will help.”

The Poole and Chobham branches loaned a brand new i-swim pool lift to marine veteran James Daly, to help him organise and take part in a Disability Swimming Teachers Course at Bournemouth Collegiate School. James said: “We needed to get the volunteer pupils, who are ex-service men or women with a physical disability, in and out of the pool safely. Without the generosity of Craig and the team at Dolphin, the course would not have taken place.”

A severely disabled boy from Middlesborough was also given a new lease of life thanks to the donation of a much needed stairlift from Dolphin Stairlifts North East. Thomas, who has the degenerative and life-threatening condition Hurler’s Syndrome, lost mobility following reconstructive surgery and was refused a stairlift by his local authority; he was, instead, advised to sleep downstairs. When Bob Lines, Director of Newcastle based Dolphin Stairlifts North East, heard about Thomas he immediately offered to donate a stairlift to help.

According to Thomas’ father Anthony, the stairlift has made a tremendous difference to Thomas’ life: “This donation has made our lives so much easier and given us what we set out to achieve, which was to ensure Thomas remained part of the household and would be able to get up and down the stairs with the rest of us. He is really happy and we are very moved by such a kind gesture.” Bob said: “This is what our business is about, allowing people to live safely and independently. Thomas is a lovely little boy who copes with difficult challenges; it is great that he can retain some independence around the family home.”

Over the last 25 years, the Dolphin Lifts Group has firmly established itself as a leading independent supplier of stairlifts and hoists in the UK. There are now around 20 independently owned and operated Dolphin branches covering the UK and Ireland and most are family businesses, helping to add the personal touch so often missing from larger companies. The Dolphin Group prides itself on being independent and represents many leading brands, enabling the team to recommend products which are best suited to customers’ requirements, without compromising on quality or safety.

Christian Dunnage, a Director at Dolphin, said: “We are delighted and proud to have reached this milestone. Every branch in the country works incredibly hard to provide the best service, superb products and completely independent advice to all its customers. We have always strived to maintain a ‘customer first’ approach, from the initial enquiry through to the installation and subsequent maintenance of the equipment. Our friendly and professional team is always on hand to help, guide and advise.”

About Dolphin Mobility Ltd

Dolphin Mobility is part of the Dolphin Lifts Group, specialist in the supply of products for the disabled and the leading independent suppliers of stairlifts in the UK. Dolphin supply, install and maintain stairlifts, step lifts, hoists, wheelchair lifts and pool lifts.