This week the modification on the van was completed and I am on the road.
In September I found a second hand van with most of the modifications that I needed at a cost of $50,000. It was a 2009 VW Transporter, with 47,000 klm. From all places to find the van, it was in Shepparton, where I once lived, not far from my family.
The modification that I needed to make to the van, included moving the docking station to suit my new wheelchair and a backrest to stop me going over in the case of a head-on. These cost where just under $5700.
The NDIS is coming through my area at the moment and I can get $10,000 towards modifications to the van, however its not retrospective. If the NDIS was not available, I would have been able to apply for a state program for the same amount, however the NDIS will encompass a number of disability programs that the governments offer, so I have to wait for my application to go through. When it does I will get the passenger docking station moved to suit my new wheelchair and also upgrade the hand control to something that will suit me a little better.
Some forward planning 18 months ago, I applied for government funding for a new wheelchair to suit the van that I was aiming to get. The government assistance was finally approved in November for the wheelchair and arrived in January. The dust did not settle before it was booked in to get the modification done. The government will kick in $3400. while I will need to kick in $3700.
I would like to thank everyone who has assisted in making the van possible. From the Go Fund Me donation, work BBQ, Cooking classes, KeepCup & Entertainment Book purchases to name a few. Thanks to those who offered support along the way.
Thank you again for your help, this is a real game changer for me.
More photos on the blog & Facebook - in the coming days.
I will contine to be selling KeepCups on my webpage that I have developed while on this journey. - http://thebaristahouse.com/
Some time ago I was building a webpage with Amazon links, and it was while I was building this website I came across KeepCup. I did a bit of research and to my suprise they were an Australian company based in Melbourne. I spoke to KeepCup and the rest is history.
The last couple of weeks I have gone back to my webpage, after a bit of a break on it.
Finally I have all the KeepCups loaded on the page, where they can be purchased.
There are some great products available from Amazon. Currently I do not have access to the Australian Amazon stock, but in time that will happen. There is a lot of stock that is shipped to Australia, so jump in and you might find yourself a christmas present for that person. Just click on the above photos and anything you then buy from Amazon a small portion will be going to the new wheels.
Hang on I better tell you my new website address, The Barista House The KeepCup page is almost finished, and the other pages need to be rejigged, which I am busy working on.
It is estimated Australians use 1 billion disposable coffee cups each year. Coffee cups are estimated to be the second-largest contributor to litter waste after plastic bottles.
Disposable coffee cups, which look like they are made of paper, have been found to contain plastics that do not break down and are damaging to the environment. Contrary to popular belief, they are not recycled. Takeaway coffee cups are lined on the inside with a plastic film, making them notoriously difficult to recycle.
Next time you go out, doesn’t matter where – to your local café, mall, office, beach or barbeque, count how many disposable coffee cups you see. Chances are you’ll see the very best of what convenience has to offer: paper cups, plastic cups, styrofoam cups, and those not-quite-paper, not-quite-plastic who-knows-what-it-is coffee cups.
But this is changing fast, and the solution is so easy it’s almost laughable. BYO coffee cups! KeepCups have a large range of trendy glass & plastic cups. BYO cup can make a hugh difference to the amount of waste we leave behind from our love affair with coffee.
Many responsible cafes are building a culture of BYO coffee cup and get a discount, creating loyalty around anyone keen to save a cup or a buck. Ask you cafe for a discount for BYO you cups.
Its time to get a mug, you mug, start making a difference, one coffee at a time. Talk to your mate, work colleges and family and lets change the way we drink coffee.
Christmas is the perfect time to start this change. Make your New Years resolution to kick the disposable Coffee Cup and gift a KeepCup to a friend or family member and get them to come along with the journey with you, then get out and enjoy your KeepCup. The gift for your friend and the environment, but wait you can do even more........
Ben Williams needs to raise $150,000.00 for a new vehicle that he can drive from his wheelchair. Ben Willy's Wheels is selling the full range of KeepCups to help raise these funds. If you purchase your KeepCup from Ben Willy's Wheels your not only helping him with his fundraising but help the environment with changing the way in which you drink your coffee.
Check out the great KeepCups Series available and get your order in now before stocks run out.
AFL KeepCup Series
Australian Football League KeepCups are the best way to support your team allegiance and your appreciation of a great coffee – out and about or at the game.
AFL Series of KeepCup are made from lightweight plastic it’s unbreakable and colourful – an easy choice for coffee on the go. - Non toxic polypropylene. BPA and BPS free. - Dishwasher safe on the top shelf. - Lid off can be heated to 110 degrees. They come in 3 sizes in all AFL teams Small 227 mls - $16. Med 340 mls - $18.50 Large 454 mls - $20.50
Adelaide Crows
Brisbane Lions
Carlton Blues
Collingwood Magpies
Essendon Boomers
Fremantle Dockers
Geelong Cats
Gold Coast Suns
GWS Giants
Hawthorn Hawks
Melbourne Demons
North Melbourne Kangaroos
Port Adelaide Power
Richmond Tigers
St Kilda Saints
Sydney Swans
West Coast Eagles
Western Bulldogs
Original KeepCup Series
KeepCup Original is the world’s first barista standard reusable cup. Made from lightweight plastic it’s unbreakable and colourful – an easy choice for coffee on the go.
- Non toxic polypropylene. BPA and BPS free.
- Dishwasher safe on the top shelf.
- Lid off can be heated to 110 degrees.
They come in 3 sizes
Small 227 mls - $14.00
Med 340 mls - $16.00
Large 454 mls - $18.00
Look trendy when with your coffee. Ask your barista for a discount for bringing your own cup.
All Original KeepCups below are medium size.
Apricot
Ash
Blossom
Blueberry
Cardamon
Cucumber
Lemon
Rose
Nitro
Watermelon
Brew KeepCup Series
Made from tempered soda lime glass, KeepCup Brew is designed for a premium beverage experience. Take the café experience with you at home, to work or on the move.
- Dishwasher safe on the top shelf.
- Lid off can be heated to 110 degrees.
- Made from toughened soda lime glass – not unbreakable, but surprisingly durable.
They come in 2 sizes
Small 227 mls - $24.00
Med 340 mls - $26.00
KeepCups displayed are the Medium Brew.
Cabernet
Cocoa
Fennel
Fig
Hibiscus
Honey
Lavender
Lime
Malt
Pineapple
Black
Roast
Orders can be picked up from Wheelers Hill, contact Ben 0409 946 866 You may remember The War on Waste program on ABC
This is a Fundraising for Ben Willy's Wheel. I need to raise $150,000 for a van that I can drive from my wheelchair.
Please note KeepCup is an small Australian Co based in Melbourne, and after the War on Waste program, their sales have increase by 700%. I do have stock and have more on its way, but any orders may take up to 8 weeks delivery. The KeepCups are running out the door. They are worth the wait.
You will be helping a small aussie company and helping me raise funds for my new wheels, and of course the environment.
If you would like to share this information with people on email please enter you email details and I will email you an email that you can send out to your friends and colleges.
There are some great products available from Amazon. Currently I do not have access to the Australian Amazon stock, but in time that will happen. There is a lot of stock that is shipped to Australia, so jump in and you might find yourself a christmas present for that person. Just click on the above photos and anything you then buy from Amazon a small portion will be going to the new wheels.
