Au Revoir Lilia

Written by Michael Holden, CEO

All of our AccessoLoos are individually built, but by and large to a similar specification to match that of a fixed Changing Places. In essence this includes the lavatory, changing table, ceiling hoist, sink, heating and running water. With each new AccessoLoo, a little of what we have learned from previous outings has gone into the thought process for the design and build of the next generation of an AccessoLoo.

Each one of our vehicles is unique and qualified to do a particular job. Whether that be a day function or a camping/overnight facility for users at a festival. Each of the AccessoLoos is named after a person with a disability that would bring a personality to it and also allowed us to quickly identify which one we were referring to when discussing them.

These personalities became very real and our staff developed affinity to a particular AccessoLoo, much like a partnership; for instance Robert and AccessoLoo Jack, Martin and AccessoLoo Finley, Ceri and AccessoLoo Zack etc. These partnerships are real and each one seems to know how their AccessoLoo ticks. However, one thing that everyone agreed on was that Lilia only ever behaved for me! She simply didn’t like to go out on jobs with anyone else.

When we were approached by a charity in England asking if they could purchase Lilia a little piece of me sank. They had a compelling need for a mobile Changing Places and we had the perfect solution for them. Lilia had been with us for six years and seen many parts of the UK and Ireland. Beaches, festivals, rallies, airshows and carnivals. Letting her go was to be bitter sweet. Making memories and enjoying life in sunnier parts of the UK with a fostering charity in Kent, but a farewell to our adventures.

After agreeing some minor alterations inside and the team here completing them, it was time to take Lilia on her final outing and say Au revoir. It might sound strange, but I asked to do this one last run on my own as I always have someone else with me. As we headed to the docks in Dublin, I chatted to Lilia the whole way – reminiscing of all the wonderful times we had enjoyed together.

Unhitching her for the very last time at Dublin became somewhat emotional, I patted her gave a pep talk, asking her to behave for her new family, took one last photo, gave her a kiss and said my goodbyes. I was no sooner in my van when the tears began to flow. It was like loosing a friend. Lilia is an AccessoLoo I shall never forget and will eternally miss from our fleet.