Coningsby Helping Hands was formed more than 20 years ago. A group of local people got together to raise money to buy an electric wheelchair for a parishioner. After the purchase an amount of money was left over and a decision was made to form the Coningsby Helping Hands. Helping Hands is a registered charity and the object of the charity is to provide relief to the disabled, sick and elderly persons residing in the parish of Coningsby and immediate neighbourhood.

The committee comprises of 15 people all with same purpose, to improve the lives of local people. The rewards are enormous seeing individuals with their independence back, whether it is by way of an electric scooter, tri-walker or even being pushed out in a wheelchair.

We raise money in various ways, we hold a prize bingo once a month in the Village Hall, which is well supported. Local people are very generous with donations, often as a way of showing their appreciation for equipment they have borrowed. There are regular Jumble Sales and in December each year we have the very popular Christmas Fayre, which includes the Grand Draw tickets for which are sold with kind permission of the local shops on their premises.

Although not a fund raising event, we hold each year, in conjunction with Tattershall with Thorpe Friendly Society, a senior citizens tea party. Where all the senior citizens of both parishes are invited to a sit down meal and entertainment.

Our equipment which is available on loan varies from Medic Alert Bracelets costing around £30 to electric scooters costing around £800. Price is never an issue if it will benefit the individual then the purchase will go ahead.

We supply both the doctors surgeries with equipment, the New Coningsby Surgery has 19 pieces ranging from a defibrillator to a baby weighing scales. The Silver Street Surgery has 14 pieces of equipment ranging from an operating table to Nebulisers and Tens machines.

Transport to the hospital is often a problem if you cannot drive or there is no other way to get there. We operate a much needed Hospital Car service and the Lincolnshire Rural Transport Partnership supports Helping Hands by partly funding it. This takes people to and from hospital as far as 60 miles away. The service is well used and we are fortunate in having the help of several local people who give up their time to do the driving.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Coningsby Helping Hands, Lincolnshire, UK - making life a little easier - Registered Charity Number 513168 - Donation Design by LN44