Then: The Mekong Wheelchair Project
In the early 1990’s, Simon travelled to Cambodia where brutal warfare had left unprecedented disability levels in its wake. With his colleague Ian Harris, a fellow Royal College of Art graduate, they designed a wheelchair for the thousands of landmine victims, and set up a workshop to manufacture the 'Mekong Wheelchair’. The three-wheel design was made from hardwood which was abundantly available at the time.

The ‘Mekong Wheelchair’ has since received global acclaim and design awards - it was represented at the Nobel Peace Prize 1997, and one was even gifted to the Pope in 2024! 

Now: The 30,000 Trees Project
30 years and over 30,000 wheelchairs later, Cambodia has a new challenge. The tropical nation has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world with primary forest falling from over 70% in 1970 to 3.1% in 2007 (FAO Cambodia National Forest Inventory). This deforestation threatens the livelihoods of Cambodia’s largely rural population and is unsustainable.

In response, Simon and members of the original team have implemented a new stainless steel wheelchair frame and set out to plant 30,000 trees. This project will engage a younger generation with forest regeneration and protection.  

Hot Clay has always supported the Mekong Wheelchair Project, raising funds for wheelchairs through sponsorship and team members visiting the project in Cambodia.

Alongside our sister company Warm Glass, we previously helped fundraise over £3,000 for the Mekong Wheelchair Project, and our team ran the Bristol 10K to help spread awareness.

Over the next three years, we would like you to help us plant 30,000 trees in Cambodia. It’s simple, £1 plants 1 tree, 10,000 trees per year.

In January 2025, the first trees for the ‘30,000 Trees’ project, were planted in the Cambodia Peace Gallery Garden in Battambang, north west Cambodia.

Alongside planting, the project will educate young people and their families about cultivation, ecology and the importance of trees in our environment. Every donation will go directly to plant trees in Cambodia, leading to positive impact.

Working with the Karuna Battambang Organisation - founded by Kike Figaredo, original member of the Mekong Wheelchair team - the 30,000 Trees project will establish micro nurseries, based in schools and rural communities around Cambodia.

The project will grow native trees to regenerate deforested land and to support the participating families.

We are incredibly grateful for any contributions you can make, large or small. Thank you. អរគុណ.