A Lasting Legacy: Memorial Wheelchair Plaques

At Wheelchairs For Kids Australia, every wheelchair tells a story — not just of the child who receives it, but also of the people whose love and generosity make it possible.

We’re proud to introduce a new way to honour the memory of someone special: memorial plaques placed on wheelchairs donated in their name. This new initiative began as a way to recognise the incredible dedication of long-time volunteers who have helped shape our charity over the years.

Over the coming months, we will retrospectively fit over 100 memorial plates to wheelchairs honouring every person who has volunteered at Wheelchairs For Kids since 1996 and since passed away.

This opportunity to memorialise a volunteer or a loved one is also available to the wider community a way to create a unique legacy for a person who supported Wheelchairs For Kids Australia and will help create a brighter future for a child.

How it works

Each plaque is a small metal plate, carefully fixed to the frame of a wheelchair. It includes the name of the person being remembered and a message that this life-changing gift has been made in their honour.

For many, it’s a meaningful alternative to flowers — a way to leave a legacy of hope and mobility. A donation of $275 covers the full cost of making a complete wheelchair.

We launched this project on 19 May 2025 to coincide with National Volunteer Week. Hon Hannah Beazley MLA Minister for Local Government; Disability Services; Volunteering; Youth; Gascoyne joined widows Pat Gallagher and Dot Ammerer to affix their husband’s plaques to wheelchairs.

Pat joined Wheelchairs For Kids in 1998, a foundation volunteer and with husband Ken joining her in 2003. Sadly, Ken passed just four years later, giving his time to making wheelchairs alongside his wife.

Alf was introduced to Wheelchairs For Kids by Dave Eddy and volunteered on Mondays packing wheelchairs for export alongside Dave and Andy Borland–sadly all three have now passed. Three months after Alf’s passing, Dot commenced her volunteering journey in our Rug & Toy Room. She has now been with us for 11 years and said “It has become a part of my life since Alf’s passing, filling a void and enabling me to contribute my part to this amazing charity.”

In lieu of flowers, give the gift of movement

Whether you’re remembering a long-time volunteer or supporter, marking the anniversary of a loved one’s passing, or simply looking for a meaningful way to honour someone’s life, a memorial wheelchair plaque is a powerful gesture. Your gift will go on to transform the life of a child living in poverty without access to mobility.

To find out more or to arrange a plaque in memory of a loved one, please contact our office via (08) 9409 3633 or complete our Contact Us form and we be in touch.