An organisation that promotes equality for disabled people has launched an innovative way to raise funds, help local businesses and reward people with disabilities at the same time.

Hammersmith & Fulham Action on Disability (HAFAD) has represented the rights of disabled people in the borough for 30 years. Looking for ways to react to the national debt crisis and ideas to improve the lives of disabled people, the group has just launched a Loyalty Card scheme.

The loyalty card is free of charge and is available to all of HAFAD's 5,000 clients including their carers and families. So far, over 150 businesses in the borough have signed up to the scheme.

James Coke, HAFAD fundraiser explained; "We aim to ensure that disabled people have the necessary support to take control of their environment and lifestyle with the information to make appropriate choices.

"The idea for the Loyalty Card was formulated in response to cuts in public expenditure as a result of the economic downturn. 98 per cent of our income comes from local government funding which in the present conditions is unsustainable. Local retailers have been encouraged to join the scheme, and most have agreed to give discounts or incentives to cardholders. The retailers participating will be displaying a HAFAD sticker in the window. All businesses who have signed up have agreed to make provisions for cardholders. This scheme is about the community supporting the community so lets back it and make a difference.

"The scheme is triple edged, raising awareness of accessibility in our community, bringing rewards to our members and bringing much valued business to our service providers in these troubled times. Retailers are also asked to display a HAFAD charity box."

The HAFAD loyalty card was officially launched by HAFAD with the support of Leader of the Council, Stephen Greenhalgh and the Cabinet Member for Community Care, Joe Carlebach at the White Horse Pub, Parsons Green on Wednesday January 26.

Cllr Greenhalgh, said: "HAFAD deserves huge credit for this initiative. The HAFAD loyalty card is a practical way for HAFAD to reduce its financial dependency on Hammersmith & Fulham Council in this difficult times. I admire James for coming up with this idea to tap into the wheel pound and his passion and enthusiasm to get this scheme off the ground. I would also like to thank the large number of local businesses that have already signed and urge others to follow suit."

The White Horse pub has excellent disabled facilities and is offering a ten per cent discount on all food purchased on production of a HAFAD loyalty card.

Daniel Fox, of the White Horse Pub, said: "The sign of any good pub is being accessible to the entire community no matter if people are disabled or able-bodied so we are delighted to take part in this initiative."

Other businesses who have signed up include solicitors, Sabeers Stone Greene, of Uxbridge Road, Shepherds Bush. The company is offering a ten per cent discount to anyone using the firms services who has a loyalty card. They are also visiting HAFAD's base, on Greswell Street, Fulham, on Friday March 18 to offer free advice on wills. Loyalty card holders can book an appointment by calling 020 8740 7007.

The Ruby Grand pub on King Street, Hammersmith is offering a 50 per cent discount on food bills upon production of a loyalty card and the Parsons Nose butchers on Fulham Road is offering a 10 per cent discount on orders over £15 on production of a loyalty card.

If your business is interested in taking part in the HAFAD loyal card scheme, contact James Coke on 020-7471-8515. For further details, including a list of the businesses taking part in the scheme visit www.hafad.org.uk (opens new window).

Notes for editors: 10 million people registered disabled with disposable income of £50 billion. Hammersmith & Fulham has a population of 172,200. Approximately 47,000 of these will have a long standing health problem or disability.

HAFAD conducted a telephone survey interviewing 200 people. 35% of respondents had lived in H&F for over 20 years and 45% of respondents said that mental or physical disability had affected them, a family member or friend, yet only a quarter were aware of HAFAD and its services yet 80% wanted to know more.

Controlled by and for Disabled people living in Hammersmith & Fulham, HAFAD provides essential services, campaigns for equality and supports disabled people to take up opportunities, make their own choices and live independently. For thirty years HAFAD has provided services including a Direct Payment Support Service, Welfare benefit advice, information on local services and opportunities, an integrated Youth service, advocacy advice and an employment section. To many in the borough HAFAD is like the 4th emergency service, as often they have no-one else to turn to. Last year (09/10) saw them deal with over 1500 new enquiries including working with over 700 young people in the borough as well as assisting over 300 disabled people, to receive welfare benefits that they were fully entitled to receive and then able to spend their disposable income within the borough.

February 2, 2011