A DISABLED dad determined to work has set up his own shopping agency helping to make sure vulnerable people get the groceries they need.
Shane Bratby takes phone and post orders from customers who cannot use the internet and then uses supermarket on-line delivery services to arrange a drop-off of items.
He expects his enterprise Shopping 4 U to draw business from all parts of the U
K and has already got a client in Scotland.
Explained Shane: "Because I'm disabled myself, I know how difficult it can be for elderly and disabled people to do their shopping. Online delivery services offered by the big supermarkets are brilliant but many people can't use them because they have no access to the Internet.
For a small fee people can let me do the work. It saves them time and the cost of taxis and it's also better for the environment.
"I'm on disability benefits but I really want to work and show people that I can do something good as well as provide a better life for my family, including my disabled daughter."
Shane, 24, suffers from Friedreich's ataxia, an inherited neurological disorder that causes problems with coordination and gets worse over time. He has been confined to a wheelchair for over a year.
He lives in Conisbrough with partner Amanda Lee, 32, and their two children Chloe, six, and three-year-old Chanelle, who has cerebral palsy.
Shane, who wanted a career in sales when he was growing up, is a keen computer user and trades using the shopping site Ebay.
He started a computer course at Doncaster College but could not continue because of illness and most of his skills have been self-taught. He has also completed a business start-up course through Doncaster Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise and thoroughly researched his idea before taking the plunge.
Promoting his business is a challenge but he has approached health centres to ask if they will display his flyers and plans a leaflet drop around local pensioners' estates.
Shane says: "My research has shown that people like to browse before they buy so I've done a catalogue which I send out with a welcome pack.
After someone places an order, I ring them with details of how much the shop will cost and when the delivery will be and, if that's all okay, I take payment and confirm the online order."
To contact Shane, ring (01709) 866370 or email shanebratby@msn.com. The shopping service's website is www.shopping 4u.uk.com
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