Sunday February 5, 2006

London bus turned into clinic for disabled

HAVE BUS WILL TRAVEL: Lisa and George posing next to their double-decker bus in Port Dickson yesterday. — STARpic by R.S.N. MURALI

PORT DICKSON: The famous double-decker bus of London will soon be a common sight in Malaysia when volunteers George and Lisa Henry use the vehicle to travel from town to town offering free prosthetic services for the handicapped.

Brought into the country by the Port Dickson-based British charity organisation Hapee, an acronym for Humanitarian Aid For Eastern Europe, the bus is awaiting the necessary approvals to go on the road.

Hapee spokesman George said the double-decker, now phased out in London, was donated by First Bus Group of London and refurbished as a mobile clinic with funds from several British companies.

George, who is wheelchair-bound, said here yesterday that he would drive the specially modified bus throughout Malaysia to make and deliver prosthetics for those without limbs – literally at their doorsteps.

Meanwhile, the double-decker has become a tourist attraction since the vehicle made its way here from Port Klang on a trailer last week.

Hordes of visitors have been taking pictures of the bus.

George can be reached at 017-3190763.

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