Hoe Grange Holidays has launched a £5,000 fundraising campaign to repair its off-road wheelchair, which has helped hundreds of disabled visitors and local families explore the countryside
For many people, heading out for a countryside walk is simple. For others, the Peak District is completely inaccessible.
But for the past 13 years, guests at Hoe Grange Holidays have been able to explore rugged trails and share adventures with friends and family thanks to the Boma7, an electric all-terrain wheelchair available to hire during their stay.
“Before chronic illness, I always took spending time outdoors for granted. However, after spending my twenties mostly stuck inside due to my symptoms, I found myself craving time in nature like never before,” says disabled writer, speaker and content creator Pippa Stacey.
“Discovering the Boma on a trip to Hoe Grange Holidays with my best friend was a transformative experience. I’d never seen an off-road wheelchair that allowed you to sit in such a comfortable posture while having complete autonomy over your movement, and this meant I could just ‘walk’ along beside her and fully immerse myself in the beautiful surroundings. Perhaps this might sound like just a small thing, but it’s something we never imagined we’d be able to do.”
Owner Felicity Brown adds, “It’s been a game-changer – not just for Peak District visitors, but for local families who didn’t have access to the outdoors together before.”
Now, the Boma’s electrical system is failing and needs repair, or Hoe Grange faces taking this vital piece of kit out of service.
A full electronic refurbishment will cost nearly £10,000, so the Hoe Grange team have launched a public crowdfunding appeal to match their £5,000 investment to complete the repair.
Run by the Brown family, multi award-winning Hoe Grange has long been at the forefront of accessible rural tourism. From log cabins with roll-in wetrooms to being the first accommodation in the UK accredited as dementia-inclusive, their mission is simple: no-one should be left behind.
“The Boma isn’t a luxury,” says owner David Brown. “It’s the key to independence, adventure and joy. It’s allowed people to join family and friends in the hills, along the trails, and even on hacks with horses. It’s about being part of the same adventures, together.”
But with such a high cost to repair, and no grant funds available for fixing existing equipment, the Browns are now asking for your help.
“We’ve always kept the Boma hire fee low – just enough to cover insurance and basic upkeep – because we believe access shouldn’t depend on income. That won’t change,” says General Manager Caroline Brown. “But now that means we need your help!”
Every donation helps – no matter how big or how small. If you can’t give right now, a share on your socials would mean the world to the Hoe Grange team.
“Together we can keep the Boma rolling and make sure no-one gets left behind,” says David.