Mobiles for Mobility

Mecca Bingo has launched a new national fundraising scheme with charity partner Whizz-Kidz that will turn peoples' unwanted mobile phones into cash to support the independence of young wheelchair-users in local communities.

Mobiles for Mobility asks that people bring their old mobile phones into Mecca bingo clubs across the UK, with the recycling funds-raised going to Whizz-Kidz.

A spokesperson for Mecca Bingo says: "The Charity partnership with Whizz-Kidz is something we're really proud of at Mecca as the feedback from both team members and customers has been extremely positive. National campaigns such as Mobiles for Mobility are a great way to bring all of the clubs together to work towards a common goal but at the same time make a difference to the local communities in which we operate."

Ruth Owen, Chief Executive of Whizz-Kidz, added: "We are absolutely thrilled with the enthusiasm and inventiveness of all Mecca team and club members. In 2008 alone they raised over a quarter of a million pounds to support young wheelchair-users' independence. We're confident that they'll achieve the same level of success in 2009.

"Disabled children stand virtually no chance of getting a powered wheelchair on the NHS. Through Mecca Bingo's funding of powered and manual wheelchairs and training, more children now have the opportunities previously denied them. Please help us raise even more money to make real differences to young lives."

As part of the ongoing 'Mecca Wheel Difference' campaign, Mecca clubs across the UK raised over £286,000 in 2008.