August 2004
Help the Aged has supported Age Concern Hereford by providing a new Iveco Daily which has taken on the joint role of towing a mobile day-care centre to remote villages in the surrounding countryside, as well as transporting local residents.
Supplied by Enfield-based Norfolk Trucks, the Daily 45C13 fifteen-seat minibus was fully equipped by Stanford Coachworks, with enough space remaining inside for several wheelchairs to be folded-up and stored whilst in transit.
The vehicle is typically in operation six days a week, and sets out early in the morning to tow the 4.8m mobile day-care centre to its required location. Once on-site, the trailer is disconnected and the Iveco Daily then picks-up local residents who come and make use of the facilities offered at the day-care centre, which include specialist services such as a hairdresser and a chiropodist.
“When Age Concern laid out its requirements for the vehicle the Iveco Daily was our first choice,” explains Graham Lale, SeniorMobility Manager at Help the Aged. “Its 4.5 tonne gross vehicle weight gives it plenty of towing capacity for the trailer, whilst up to 15 passengers enjoy a smooth and comfortable journey with good visibility from the Daily’s large windows.”
“Manoeuvrability was also an important factor in selecting the Daily, as we needed a vehicle which could safely pull a trailer on minor country roads,” he adds.
Partly funded by donations from BBC Television’s Blue Peter, this vehicle is one of eight Iveco Daily minibuses ordered by Help the Aged so far in 2004 and it is expected to remain in operation with Age Concern for up to eight years.
The Daily 45C13 is powered by Iveco's 2.8 litre 125 hp diesel engine, which benefits from a generous amount of torque and allows the vehicle to start off easily, even towing the trailer and carrying a full compliment of passenger.
Release date: 9 August 2004