IVECO vans double MND delivery services

As the scientific community continues its tireless efforts to find a cure for Motor Neuron Disease (MND), the support for people already living with the disease is also vitally important.

‘Until there’s a cure, there’s care’ – is the motto of leading support charity, MND Victoria. For those battling MND, the organisation offers counselling and advisory services, access to support groups, home modifications and equipment loan services.

That’s where IVECO also enter the picture, with two Daily 35S vans constantly travelling through Victoria from their Melbourne base delivering items including powered wheelchairs, electric beds, hoists and other equipment to those in need.

“MND Victoria has 55 different equipment types available for loan, to help make every day living a little easier for those affected by MND,” explained MND Victoria General Manager – Community Engagement, Daniel Woodrow.

“Depending on when the request is made, we can dispatch equipment quite quickly, sometimes within the same day. The vans are on the road every weekday and if there’s an urgent request, will also work on weekends.”

Both of the charity’s IVECO Daily vans are car licence models powered by 2.3l Euro6 diesel engines and coupled to IVECO’s popular eight-Speed Hi-Matic fully automatic transmission. The first Daily entered service in 2023 and the second only recently thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Broughton family, in memory of a loved one, Jane.

Daniel said MND Victoria having its own fleet had made a big difference to the charity’s efficiency and its overall ability to service its clients.

“We previously relied on a third party to deliver and collect equipment, and this wasn’t allowing us to be as timely as we would have liked. The IVECO Dailys give us speed of delivery and we’re not reliant on others,” Woodrow said.

“Choosing a model that was easy to manoeuvre and drive both on country roads and through narrower city streets was important, as was its comfort, appointments and general ease of use.

“The Daily vans are also considered very safe and come equipped with all the necessary driver alerts, enhancing overall safety and providing peace of mind. From a practicality standpoint the load capacity is perfect for what we do, the high roof also allows us to stand up in the back and both vans have proven to be fuel efficient.”

MND Victoria, a not-for-profit organisation, has focussed on care and support programs to improve the lives of thousands of Victorian families impacted by MND for the last 43 years.

For more information, visit MND Victoria's website.