Our Story
Introduction
It seems incredible that with all the amazing advances in technology, and all the clever gadgets available, that carers are still struggling to push and pull people around in manual wheelchairs. With 70% of people pushing wheelchairs suffering from back problems, it is reminiscent of the 1970s, and the huge struggle to push a heavy petrol engine lawn mower around the garden. An exhausting task and not for the faint-hearted. And then the power-driven mower revolution arrived, and suddenly mowing the lawn became a simple and maybe even an enjoyable task..
It’s difficult enough to push someone in a wheelchair on the flat, but throw in a hill or a few tricky surfaces, and it can be pretty much impossible. This severely limits access and creates barriers to where you can and can’t go.
We realised that the reason you rarely see a wheelchair out and about is actually because it’s just too physically demanding for the carer. If the carer is struggling and the occupant feels like a burden, creating difficulties and anxiety, it’s not going to be a happy day for anyone. Much easier for everyone to stay at home.
We wanted to change this, and create a solution where the carer and the occupant would both really look forward to stress-free days out, spend quality time together and have fun, choosing where they want to go, whether at home or travelling further afield.
To achieve this, the Ypush had to be an integrated product like no other, with seamless power assistance, no extra bolt on bits, no settings to change, be quick to set up and easy to use. Moreover, as a medical product, it would need to be incredibly safe. It took more than 5 years to develop all the unique functions, features, new technology and mechanisms that make it possible.
Using the Ypush, you simply need to walk behind as there is no effort required, enabling everyone to relax and concentrate on having a good time. It can be pushed like a manual wheelchair, but when you need power assistance, the carer simply presses a lever on the right handlebar with their thumb. To turn left or right, simply press a button located under the handle grips. Reverse is also available at the touch of a button.
Much like the power drive mower revolution, what was a difficult and stressful job becomes an easy and enjoyable experience!
We are currently developing a global distribution network, with the first Ypush due off of our production line in the last quarter of 2020.
Our Team
The team of experts that brought you the Ypush
Brian J Harrison
Inventor/CEO
Chantal Harrison IIHHT
Director
Roger Allsopp OBE FRCS LLM
Medical Director
Steve Smith, MPS , BSC HONS
Pharmacist, Clinician, Investor, and Finance Expert
David Woodland
Trustee and Chairman
Simon Keys
Product design, Engineering and CAD
Mac Law
Operations Manager
Richard Rudd
Technical and Commercial Director, Consulting, RRA Technical
Sarah Rudd
Marketing Consultant, Business Owner, SRA Marketing
Oliver Betts
Graphic Design
Brian J Harrison
Inventor/CEO
I was born in England, but I am lucky enough to have spent most of my life living on the beautiful island of Guernsey. One of the small gems located in the English Channel, between France and the UK, Guernsey has a rugged and unspoilt coastline, with the picturesque historical town of St Peter Port built on a steep hill.
St Peter’s Port Town and the Town Quay
Although the Island is constantly improving wheelchair access to shops and businesses, we realised that our Town, along with many other towns and cities around the world, can never offer a flat ‘’Shopping mall’’ experience. Hills, cobbles, and other obstacles make it very difficult to push someone in a wheelchair, and the fact is you rarely see one out and about anywhere.
If the carer is struggling and the occupant feels like a burden, no one is having fun, and it’s not going to be a happy day for anyone.
The secret was out – it becomes an easier, and far more sensible choice to just stay at home and put on the TV.
We wanted to create a solution that would change this. To empower the carer and occupant to really want to get out and about, and both enjoy access to all places and all activities. Most importantly, to really look forward to spending stress free quality time together, choosing where they want to go, whether at home or travelling away. Make it easy and make it fun. It’s all about individual choice and freedom.
With miles of coastal paths and walking tracks on our doorstep, we realised that if we could find a solution that works well over here in Guernsey with its unforgiving landscape, it would be a success elsewhere.
Coastal paths with the Ypush
But hold on a minute, this is about the Carer, this is completely different to a regular power chair. It’s about ‘’No more pushing’’. The Carer needs to be able to operate the power assistance, not the occupant. And they don’t want to be bending down, changing settings, bolting on extra parts every time they want some help…and the power assistance needs to be available at any speed and at any time….and then we need a mechanical fail safe braking system…
That is the point we realised why no-one had done this before! It took more than 5 years to develop all the unique functions, features, new technology and mechanisms that make the Ypush possible, in the process creating a new industry product category.
The Ypush had to be an integrated product like no other, with its seamless power assistance, no extra bolt on bits, and be quick to set up. Moreover, classified as a medical product, it would need to go through extensive testing, and be incredibly safe and easy to use.
Skipping forward a few years, and having proved itself successfully in Guernsey, and further afield, Brintal are developing a global network of manufacture and distribution, with the support of some truly amazing partners, to ensure that the Ypush is available to people in many countries all around the world. Everyone is incredibly enthusiastic to be involved, and we look forward to the next steps in our journey together.
I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank my wife and family, our team of designers, engineers, manufacturers, consultants, partners and investors who have worked tirelessly together to help us achieve our goal. It has really been a team effort. Five + years is a long time, and without your patience, enthusiasm, focus, absolute belief and determination, the Ypush would still be a pencil sketch, and one man’s dream.
From all of us at Brintal, we hope you enjoy getting out and about with the Ypush, having fun and making memories.
Very best wishes to you and your family for a happy, healthy and active life!
Brian J Harrison – Inventor/CEO Brintal Limited.
The Ypush is dedicated to my friend Patrick Tam.
Chantal Harrison IIHHT
Director
Chantal is trained in holistic health, working in one to one fitness and rehabilitation. Very aware of the difficulties faced by carers and treating the various injuries sustained.
Roger Allsopp OBE FRCS LLM
Medical Director
Roger Allsopp is a retired consultant surgeon specializing in vascular and breast cancer surgery and is Medical Director for Brintal Ltd and the Ypush.
Roger worked for over thirty years as a consultant surgeon specializing in vascular and breast cancer surgery. In 2004 he was awarded the OBE by her Majesty the Queen for services to Medicine.
Roger receives his MBE from her Majesty the Queen
On retirement from clinical practice in 2006 he became involved in fund raising for medical research into protein markers to help in the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer
Roger Allsopp with Professor Paul Townsend, molecular biologist at Manchester University
To further this he undertook two solo Cross Channel Swims. The first one in 2006 and the second in 2011.
BBC article: Channel record for Guernsey swimmer Roger Allsopp, 70
The latter swim earned him a Guinness World Record as the oldest person in the world to that date to achieve such a feat.
In August 2018 he was awarded a Points of Light Award by Prime Minister Theresa May in recognition of his exceptional service fundraising for lifesaving medical research. In a personal letter the Prime Minister said: “Your inspirational fundraising has supported pioneering medical research to directly benefit the lives of people in Guernsey and beyond. You continue to ensure your expertise benefits your community through your ongoing service in support of the Guernsey Disability Alliance.”
Roger says: “I have been very fortunate to have been able to enjoy a fulfilling and exciting life. I can truly say that my involvement with development of the Ypush has and continues to be one of the best experiences to date. It is such a privilege to be involved with a medical product that will change, for better, the lives of countless individuals with disabilities and the lives of their carers.
This is a historic turning point for some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society.
Carers as a group are one of the most valuable resources within our community, without them our health services would collapse. Carers who push wheelchairs are particularly at risk of injuries sustained from pushing weights that are too heavy for them. Those being cared for are often aware of the difficulties and reluctant to ask go out when they see how the ones that they love struggle to push them.
The Ypush is going to change all that. It is so exciting. As a medical product it is a complete game changer with the potential to free up peoples lives. It will expand their horizons and put areas that were previously inaccessible within easy reach. Experience tells us that the Ypush can seriously enrich the relationship between carers and those they care for.”
BBC article: Channel swimmer Roger Allsopp named Guernsey ambassador
Video: Channel Islands Pride of Britain Fundraiser Nominees: Roger Allsop | ITV News
Steve Smith, MPS , BSC HONS
Pharmacist, Clinician, Investor, and Finance Expert
When Brian first introduced his idea to me 7 years ago, I was instantly excited, and I became the very first investor in this life changing product. My medical background luckily gave me the knowledge to appreciate just what a great idea a powered caregiver wheelchair would be.
We didn’t realise at the time just what a challenge it would be to create, but after many years development, and a great deal of investment, I am so proud to be associated with this unique product.
Every aspect of it has been engineered from scratch, because there is literally nothing else on the market that is anything like it.
We truly believe that the Ypush will be great fun to use, put a smile on people’s faces, and give a new quality of life to wheelchair occupants and caregivers alike.
David Woodland
Trustee and Chairman
David began his career as a Police Cadet in 1953, pausing to complete his two years National Service, stationed with the Royal Military Police in Dusseldorf.
After returning to the UK, he resumed his career with the Police and was appointed to Criminal Investigation Department (C.I.D) enrolled in London’s Metropolitan Police Detective Training School in 1961. He received several Commissioner’s Commendations, was promoted to Detective Inspector at New Scotland Yard’s Crime Intelligence Department, and retired in 1978, receiving a Certificate of “Exemplary Character” for his service.
John Ramplin
David then travelled extensively on behalf of Lloyds of London, conducting several global investigations into shipping insurance frauds. It was at this point that he became significantly involved in charity and served on the National Council of the Registered Nursing Homes Association, UK.
In 1987 David relocated to Guernsey. Since then he has been involved with a variety of charitable causes; he founded and served as Chairman, Guernsey Care Homes Ltd, joined, and later became Chairman of the newly formed Age Concern (Guernsey) until his retirement. In 2016, his business colleague died and as his executor, he formed and became Chairman of the John Ramplin Charitable Trust.
The business arm of the Trust acquired a small shareholding in Brintal Ltd, which is developing the revolutionary Ypush wheelchair which in David’s words:
“I see the Ypush as having the ability to enhance the lives of many thousands of wheelchair users globally, and any profits from our modest investment in its shares will be will be applied through the Trust to benefit Guernsey Registered charities.”
In his spare time David enjoys travelling, walking and writing. He has two published books to his name; critical reflections on his time with the Police.
“Crime and corruption at the Yard”
and author David Woodland
Simon Keys
Product design, Engineering and CAD
I studied industrial design in the Midlands, the heart of the UK motor industry. Following graduation I worked for MIRA, a renowned development and test facility which carries out work for major global motor vehicle manufacturers. During ten years at MIRA, Iworked with a broad range of client companies from McLaren F1, Mercedes and Morgan cars, to Honda, Ford, Jaguar and Bentley amongst others.
Following my return to Guernsey in 2003, I started working with companies sand successfully brought the Zenos E10 from a clean sheet of paper to a running prototype within 12 months encompassing a number unique structural concepts.
Zenos E10
It was during this time that the relationship was developed with Brintal C.E.O. Brian Harrison that ultimately led to collaboration on the Ypush project.
I am passionate about impactful and innovative design. The Ypush conceptually hits both those marks with genuine engineering firsts and is based entirely on the needs of the users to significantly impact lives for the better. I am very proud to be involved in the project, working with Brian and the Ypush team from conception to launch and beyond…
Mac Law
Operations Manager
I live in Hong Kong, and have a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and an in-depth experience with Product Design and 3D CAD. I have 20+ years’ experience as Project Leader, driving Product Development from Conceptual Design to Mass Production.
I joined the Ypush team in 2018 after project managing more than 100 different new products.
I must emphasize that Ypush is the most fantastic, unique and meaningful product I’ve ever seen. The development process is full of challenges as it is a completely new concept. Most importantly it is an amazing idea that can really help people in need. I am grateful of being part of a team that improves the lives of people every day.
Richard Rudd
Technical and Commercial Director, Consulting, RRA Technical
Content coming soon!
Sarah Rudd
Marketing Consultant, Business Owner, SRA Marketing
My career has spanned 20 years in the marketing and communications sectors culminating in running my own marketing consultancy.
Having worked within both the product and service industries I have been involved in many projects designed to help improve people’s lives however being part of bringing the Ypush to market has been both challenging and rewarding. The whole Ypush team has such passion and commitment towards making a success of what will help so many people reconnect and reduce the burden on their loved ones and carers. It’s a true privilege to be a part of the team.
Oliver Betts
Graphic Design
For the last 20 years, I have been developing creative graphic design solutions for a wide range of clients, from high street retailers to SMEs, gaining broad experience in all aspects of design and product promotion which has proved invaluable in my involvement with Ypush.
Having worked with major UK mobility scooter suppliers for many years, I found the idea of the Ypush mobility aid truly ground-breaking.
The transformational benefits brought to both occupant and attendant, it’s unique design features and ease of use makes it essential for anyone who struggles using a conventional wheelchair.
Lightweight and portable, intuitive to use and offering superb user comfort, the Ypush is set to change the game in the mobility sector, both in the UK and globally.
Working collaboratively with the Ypush Team, I handle all graphic design for the project including development of the labelling scheme, trade show exhibition stand, owner’s manual and promotional brochures, and look forward to continuing to promote this transformational product in the future.