TV Makeover Programme Features Harmony Through-floor Wheelchair Lift and Reunites Durham Family
MANCHESTER, June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
- With photo
Installing a through-floor lift in the Victorian terraced home of Durham teenager Kieran Purvis helped to transform his life - and reunite the family.
The Purvis's ordeal began in December 2009 when Kieran collapsed with a heart condition, which led to a heart transplant and double-amputation. As the two-bedroom house couldn't meet his special needs, Kieran had to live in a hospital transplant flat with his mum and dad, whilst grandma looked after his two younger brothers in the family home until a solution could be found.
In the meantime, Durham County Council had contacted Terry Lifts' local north-east representative to enquire about the feasibility of installing a through-floor wheelchair lift as part of a general re-design of the entire home.
Initially, this looked difficult to achieve given the Council's limited budget under the Disabled Facilities Grant. The situation was transformed thanks to the persistence of Kieran's parents who contacted a national TV station about the possibility of featuring the refurbishment as a project for one of its makeover programmes.
When Durham Council heard about their involvement, they decided to go ahead and purchase the through-floor lift from Terry Lifts. The company's latest Harmony design was earmarked for the TV programme whose building team created a life-changing transformation of the Purvis's home.
As well as the wheelchair lift (which runs from the kitchen to Kieran's bedroom), the building work included a new wet-room for Kieran, a wider staircase and a new second-floor bedroom area for his two brothers. The kitchen also had a major makeover to provide space for the wheelchair lift.
Terry Lifts' north-east representative, Daniel Brownless, was obviously delighted with the outcome:
"Terry's installation team worked closely with the programme's Project Manager and builders to integrate the lift installation into the overall schedule," said Daniel. "As always, we paid particular attention to all health and safety aspects, as well as being careful to comply with UK Building Regulations. The end result is fantastic. Not only are the whole family back together again under one roof; Kieran also has a dream home that meets all his needs."
The Harmony lift supplied was one of Terry Lifts' new-design, wider models, albeit with the company's proven standard specification that reflects the company's commitment to user safety and ease of operation.
Echoing this sentiment, Terry Lifts' Sales & Marketing Director, John McSweeney, was keen to emphasise the importance of optimising the customer experience:
"Our new range of product designs can now accommodate all wheelchair sizes" John noted. "This includes the industry standard Category A and B. Our 'longer wider' (LW) Harmony lift is the largest available on the market."
Main features of the Harmony through-floor wheelchair lift include:
- Remote radio wireless controls are installed as standard which means there is no unsightly surface trunking.
- Users have full control over lift functions from the car and at both floor levels. Battery back-up systems take over in the event of a power failure.
- The low floor construction includes a minimal-gradient ramp, making it easier to enter and leave the lift.
- Fire test certification (including half-hour fire integrity when the lift is either in the up or the downstairs position) provides peace of mind in the event of a house fire.
- The 'Standard' Harmony car is 45mm wider than its predecessor making it the largest standard model available on the UK market.
To find out more about Terry Group products and services, visit: http://www.terrylifts.co.uk
NOTES FOR EDITORS
- Cheshire-based Terry Group Ltd has enjoyed constant growth since it was established in 1948 by Eric Terry. The company is still privately owned.
- Terry Group specialises in the design and manufacture of domestic wheelchair lifts, step lifts and public access platform lifts.
- Domestic wheelchair lifts include 'through floor' home lifts and low-rise step lifts.
- Public access lifts include a range of vertical platform lifts and platform stair-lifts.
- The comprehensive range of Terry Group products meets the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act and complies with Part 'M' of UK Building Regulations.
A picture/s accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk.
For more information about Terry Lifts, contact:
John McSweeney, Sales & Marketing Director, Terry Group Ltd., Longridge
Trading Estate, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 8PR
Telephone 0845-365-5366.
E-mail: jmcsweeney@terrylifts.net
(Editorial enquiries: Mike Beeson, Buzzwords Ltd.,
Tel 01565-654023 e-mail: open@buzzwords.ltd.uk)
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