Hire a wheelchair | Easy and affordable | British Red Cross (2025)

The British Red Cross provides wheelchair hire services across the UK.

We offer comfortable, safe, and reliable manual wheelchairs whether you’re looking for self-propelledortransitwheelchairs.

Find out more information about the types of wheelchairs we offer and how to use them.

The wheelchairs are suitable for anyone over the age of 5 and are available in a wide range of sizes, with fitted footrests as standard and free accessories such as leg elevators, cushions, and stump supports available to improve your comfort*.

*subject to availability

Wheelchair hire details:

• wheelchair hire for £22 a week with variable delivery and collection options available at £25 if applicable**
• free wheelchair accessories
• flexible hire periods (minimum hire period 1 week)

**May not apply to certain geographical areas depending on local arrangements. In Northern Ireland, Hampshire and Norfolk, delivery times are subject to availability. Deliveries to Scottish Islands and Highlands, and Isles of Scilly may have separate pricing structures.

Making your booking

To hire a wheelchair, you will need to know:

• measurements of the wheelchair user at their widest point (usually hips and thighs) and add 1” / 2.5cm for comfort
• weight of the wheelchair user
• accessories needed

Book a wheelchair

Returning your wheelchair

When your hire period has come to an end, please call us on 0300 456 1914 to extend your hire or email us at wheelchaircollections@redcross.org.ukto book a collection.

You will need toinclude your:

• booking reference (BK)
• preferred date of collection (Between Monday to Friday)
• collection address.

Please ensure all items are returned, including your box (if applicable), cushions, leg elevators and footplates.

Be aware any missing or damaged items may incur a fee.

Need further assistance?

We offer assistance and support to those who may not be able to meet the financial costs.

If you need assistance, have a question about your booking, need your wheelchair for longer, or if your equipment becomes damaged, please call us on 0300 456 1914.

About our wheelchair service

The British Red Cross is the largest national provider of short-term wheelchairs in the UK, supplying over 58,000 wheelchairs every year. We’re committed to ensuring that everyone who needs a temporary wheelchair has access to one and have been providing this service for over 107 years.

Wheelchair hires allow us to support those most in need and provide wheelchairs to them at no cost. We are non-profit making, and every penny of surplus income supports people who need our help.

Hire terms and conditions(PDF).