Member Article

Pensioner’s bowling hobby rekindled thanks to stairlift donation

A pensioner left “heartbroken” at no longer being able to visit a bowling club that was her second home is back with her pals thanks to a donation by Steeton-based Acorn Stairlifts.

Seventy-four-year-old Nancy MacDonald had been a member of her local bowling club for almost 30 years and served as its president three times, but couldn’t manage a flight of steps to the clubhouse after having a leg amputated.

“The people at the bowling club are like family to me,” said Nancy, “so having to come to terms with not being able to go to there anymore was absolutely heartbreaking. I was used to getting out and about and having my independence and suddenly that was all taken away from me.”

But now Nancy can visit the club whenever she likes after a fully-weatherproofed outdoor stairlift was donated and installed by Acorn Stairlifts following a call from Nancy’s sister sister, Jean Blackstock. Recognising how vital the club was to Nancy’s quality of life, Jean made it her mission to find a solution.

“Only a few weeks ago I came across a leaflet for Acorn Stairlifts in the local pharmacy and I was surprised to see an outdoor stairlift existed,” explained Jean. “The bowling club itself didn’t have the funds to install the stairlift, but we gave Acorn a call anyway to see if there was anything they could do.

“To our surprise, the company called us only a few days later to say that they would donate an outdoor stairlift. The club just had to raise funds for the service contract, which it managed to do. I can’t begin to tell you how ecstatic we all are.”

Nancy, who lives in Rutherglen, near Glasgow, added: “Having this stairlift installed has made a huge difference to my life as it means I have my independence back. I am so pleased with Acorn and the quick service they provided – I’ve written a letter to the company to tell them how thankful I am.”

With factories at Steeton, Shipley and in Scotland, Acorn Stairlifts is a world leader in the design, manufacture and installation of straight and curved stairlifts, including a fully-weatherproofed outdoor model. It installed the outdoor stairlift at Cambuslang Bowling Club at the end of June after hearing Nancy’s story.

“When we received the call from Nancy’s sister Jean, it became very clear how compelling her situation was,” said Acorn Stairlifts Company Secretary Dave Belmont. “Attending the bowling club regularly isn’t just a hobby for Nancy, it’s a way of life and key to her maintaining her independence.

“With our FastTrack® installation service, we were able to have the stairlift installed at the bowling club within a matter of days. We’re thrilled to have helped make such a difference to Nancy and her family.”

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