Lewis Reed helps Greg Sumner educate youngsters on the dangers of drink driving.
Six years ago, 28-year-old Greg Sumner from Bristol was involved in a serious car accident in which two people (including the driver who had been drinking) died and Greg was left paralysed from the neck down.
Greg recently took delivery of his third wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) – a Mercedes V Class from leading UK WAV manufacturer Lewis Reed. “I have previously owned a Mercedes Vito and Citroën Berlingo and while both vehicles were great they did not even come close to my Mercedes which is just amazing” commented Greg.
Having a vehicle is vital to Greg and his carers, otherwise they have to rely on trains or buses. Over the last 6 years Greg has gradually rebuilt his life after the life changing events of that night and he now travels around schools and colleges giving talks about the dangers of drink driving and this would be impossible without his wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) from Lewis Reed. “I was determined that something positive would come out of what happened to me and I decided if I could stop just one person from either drink driving or getting in a car being driven by someone who had been drinking that would be a start” commented Greg.
In addition to his two young children, Greg has friends and family all over the UK and having a WAV means he can visit them. “The independence I get from my vehicle is hard to put into words. From my first conversation with Chris at Lewis Reed, everyone there has been incredibly helpful, from bringing vehicles from their HQ on the Wirral down to my home here in Bristol, to ensuring the vehicle met all my requirements they could not do enough to help. I would not hesitate in recommending Lewis Reed to anyone looking to purchase a WAV” concluded Greg.
The Mercedes V Class exudes abundant quantities of style and comfort including eye-catching touches such as privacy glass, alloy wheels, and chrome trim elements on the Sport model line. There’s a stylish dashboard with tablet-style display, leather seats, and sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs. To help create a calm and relaxing environment there is 3-colour ambient lighting (standard on Sport model).
As with every Lewis Reed vehicle, the V-Class provides flexible seating positions to offer practical solutions for wheelchair users. The adaptable floor mounted rail system is quick and easy to use providing a choice of up to 6 passenger seating and wheelchair positions.
The V-Class is available in three different wheelbases to provide adequate space regardless of whether it is being used for a family holiday or a shopping trip. A discreet higher roof option is also available in the V-Class Grande and has been designed to help with wheelchair users needing extra entrance height and internal space.
To make journeys as relaxing as possible, electric sliding doors are fitted on both sides, while the large automatic powered tailgate opens to enable a remote-controlled rear or side lift or TorSpring® ramp to aid the wheelchair user’s entry into the vehicle.
To find out more about the full range of vehicle conversations available from Lewis Reed please call 0151 343 5360 or browse our website. You can also keep up to date with the latest news from Lewis Reed on Twitter @lewisreedgroup and facebook /lewisreedwavltd.
Lewis Reed Group, Provider Of High Quality Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
With over 20 years experience producing and selling wheelchair accessible vehicles in the UK, you can be sure that we can offer excellent customer service with a level of knowledge that is completely unrivalled.