AN ingenious Herefordshire inventor has been shortlisted for a national award by Remap, a charity that helps people with disabilities live more independent lives.

Steve Hackett is one of a dozen volunteers with Remap Herefordshire.

When seamstress Margaret Whittal had a bad fall two years ago and lost the use of her legs, Steve found a way for her to continue operating the treadle switch of her sewing machine.

The answer wasn't easy.

Margaret couldn’t use either of her hands to control the sewing machine as they were needed to guide the fabric, and Steve also felt that, whatever device he made, it would need to accept the existing treadle switch and also any future switch should Margaret wish to replace her machine.

After much experimentation, Steve made a new device, based on the idea of pressing the existing treadle with a moveable jaw that could either squeeze or release the treadle switch.

Cleverly, this allowed Margaret control the treadle by a tube to her mouth: puff to make her machine start or increase in speed, and sip to slow down or stop.

“I’m so pleased that I can now work my sewing machine. I quickly got used to the new way of controlling it, and I’m nearly back to where I was before the fall," said Margaret.

Steve says that while he was pleased to be nominated for the award, meeting the challenge was a reward in itself.

"Every job we do gives satisfaction to both the maker and the person for whom the device is made. Here, I enjoyed the challenge of Margaret’s sewing machine, and she’s got some of her independence back - That’s what Remap is all about – helping to find answers to the problems some people face in daily life.”

* Remap needs more volunteers who can offer an inventive approach to challenges such as that met by Steve.

Steve himself will take calls on 01432 272 244.