Running a wheelchair-accessible van is costly – that’s part of the reason why Wheels For Hope exists, to help provide access to transport for WA families.
Our fundraising efforts go towards keeping our fleet maintained. But have you ever wondered what exactly it takes to keep the wheels on the road?
In this article we’ll run through the main areas of ongoing maintenance for the Wheels For Hope fleet, so you can get a good understanding of where your donations are going. After all, we couldn’t do it without you!
What do we need to cover?
Our annual running costs include:
Fleet Maintenance
This is a broad area, because it covers everything from general wear-and-tear to one-off fixes or upgrades. This includes things for the ongoing safety and comfort of the family using the van – things like making sure the tyres aren’t worn, the air conditioning, horn, handbrake and external lights are all functioning, and dealing with any replacements for windscreens or mirrors.
Insurance
This is an increasing cost, with insurance premiums rising on the back of other inflationary price increases over the past few years.
However, it’s obviously a pretty crucial part of keeping the fleet ready to roll – and because the vans have precious cargo – so insurance remains a key area when it comes to ongoing van costs.
Servicing Costs
Getting vehicles serviced on schedule is another essential safety measure. With 40 vans in the fleet currently, this can quickly add up!
Licencing Costs
Did you know the licence fee in WA is based on the weight (Tare mass) of the vehicle? Fortunately Wheels For Hope has a concessional licence which reduces the total, but the fee is still nearly $500 per vehicle, per year.
GPS Tracking Units
Each of our vans is fitted with a GPS tracking unit to help with fleet management.
What do donations help with?
All of the above! But if you would like to know the direct correlation between the amount you donate and what it could cover from the list, here’s a few examples:
- A $20 monthly donation will cover the cost of an annual hoist service for one of our vans.
- A $25 monthly donation would cover the tracking costs for a vehicle.
- $65 monthly would cover the cost of replacing the tyres on one vehicle for a year.
- $120 per month would cover the cost of insuring a vehicle for a year.
- A $500 monthly donation would cover the total running costs to keep one of our vans on the road, for a year.
- $8500 per month would put another van on the road.
Even small amounts can make a big difference for keeping our fleet in action, so we can continue to help families in our community.
How you can support Wheels For Hope
Wheels For Hope depends on the generosity of donors and sponsors to keep our mobility mission moving. There are a few ways you can do this:
- One-off donations or monthly sponsorship – you can set this up through the donations page on our website, or get in touch if you have questions about the process.
- Corporate support – donating a percentage of profits, payroll giving, or other sponsorship to supply things we need (like vehicle servicing).
- Fundraising and events – whether you want to host your own fundraiser or show your support by taking part in one of our upcoming events, we appreciate it!
