Award for Larne creator of 'wheelchair chassis'

Warren Rea’s winning solution enables users to cover more ground by clicking their existing chair onto a specially designed chassis, allowing access to rough terrain such as beaches and forest paths.

He was announced the winner of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Start-Up and Innovate Award to mark the beginning of this year’s Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), which runs from November 16 to 22.

Entrants were whittled down to a shortlist of finalists before the judges’ panel, which included Michael Johnston, Invest NI Innovation Executive and Karen Gilgunn, Marketing, Communications and Business Development Manager at USEL, revealed the Larne man as their winner.

The purpose of the competition was to identify and champion local businesses that are developing innovations with the potential to deliver wider societal benefits.

With a top prize of £1,500 plus specialist business development mentoring support and PR, and runners-up prizes of £250, the competition attracted a high standard of entries.

Warren hopes the award will help him bring his design to market and ‘open a whole new world’ for those who need assistance with their mobility.

Mayor of MEABC, Councillor Peter Johnston said: “I was delighted to announce Warren as the winner of the council’s Start-Up and Innovate competition. To see such a creative concept for improving access for wheelchair users highlights the true spirit of entrepreneurship which exists in the borough, across all levels of business.

“There has never been a more important time for businesses to be able to adapt and develop ways of remaining resilient to change and planning for the future as we continue to navigate our way through the Coronavirus pandemic.

“I would like to congratulate all those who took part in the competition and wish them every success in their ongoing work. A special word of congratulations to the runners-up for their fantastic ideas.”

Warren’s business, Pro22innovations, specialises in innovative engineering design and 3D printing solutions, and he has worked with global companies including Thales Air Defence, Bombardier, Terumo, P&O Irish ferries, Wrightbus and Camlin Technologies.

“Winning this award will enable us to progress towards getting the product onto the market and to those in the disability community who are faced with so many challenges with regards to enjoying the freedom we all take for granted," he said.

"This all-terrain power wheelchair will open up a whole new world for them and improve on their quality of life.”