Many of EQ+'s customers are living on a benefit with finances stretched, she said.
"There is no extra money for these people to purchase a vehicle or mobility scooter and in some cases, these people are living in isolation from their community as they are unable to access it due to mobility or health conditions and have lost their independence," Ms Sullivan said.
"This isolation can have a huge detrimental effect on the mental wellbeing of the applicant and their quality of life."
One of EQ+'s most recent successful recipients was Whangarei man Hopa Wihongi. However he almost missed out on receiving a grant.
The 47-year-old, who has Cerebral Palsy, had a very old second-hand scooter that was falling apart and at a stage where it was unsafe for him to be driving.
Ms Sullivan often told her team that if she won Lotto, she would buy a new scooter for Mr Wihongi as he was a lovely gentleman who loves accessing his community and church.
Last year she had helped him complete a Lotteries Grant Application but each time she asked if he had received any news, his response was no.
During his last visit to the shop to get a quote for more maintenance work on his decrepit scooter, she again asked if he had heard any news.
"Again, Hopa was unsure," she said. "So I made a call to the Department of Internal Affairs, which administers the Lotteries Grants. They were able to confirm they had notified Hopa of the outcome but couldn't disclose this over the phone.
"I told Hopa to give us a call when he returned home and we would go around and help him look for his letter.
"We were so happy when we found a letter pinned to his fridge, confirming he had been successful," she said.
Mr Wihongi was able to return to the shop and drive home on his new scooter that same day.
"It really did feel like we had won Lotto," Ms Sullivan said.
Successful Lottery Grants are valid for 12 months, and Mr Wihongi was only four months away from that cut-off period.
"I was so pleased that I decided to make that phone call on Hopa's behalf - had I not done this Hopa may have missed out on receiving this funding."
And with the recent scooter incident in Maunu, where the driver was hit on a pedestrian crossing, Ms Sullivan said it was also timely to remind scooter owners they are vulnerable and need to be road smart and practise safety when out and about.
NorthAble EQ+ has a useful handbook available called "Ready to Ride" - Keeping safe on your mobility scooter published by NZ Transport.
"We also recommend that you have an annual service check to ensure the safety of your scooter, which is another service that we provide."
To be eligible for the Lottery Individuals with Disabilities fund, applicants need to be experiencing a long-term (six months or longer) limiting condition that affects their ability to participate in the community.
Visit www.communitymatters.govt.nz for more information.
■ NorthAble is Northland's primary Disability Resource Centre and has been serving local communities since June 25, 1990. With an office in Whangarei, a mobile service, and NorthAble Link Centres in Dargaville, Kaeo, Maungaturoto, Kaitaia and Pukenui, NorthAble provides disability support and information in the Whangarei, Far North and Kaipara Districts.
