WHEELCHAIR bound and suffering from lewy body dementia, John Hewitt is one resident from the Taralga Retirement Village whose condition prevents him from going out, whether for appointments or enjoyment.

His son Geoff set out to fix that by purchasing a van to take his father out to the family's cotton farm. But when his father's condition worsened, Mr Hewitt didn't let the van go to waste.

With a little help from Sarah and Dave Tate from Dalby, Mr Hewitt was able to donate the van to the facility.

"It's very pleasing that we've almost stumbled across a way to be able to help the people in this facility,” Mr Hewitt said.

"If we can inspire other people to do likewise... then it's better to do that than be quiet.”

The van features a wheelchair accessible ramp, as well as a mobile seat that lowers passengers to the ground.

Facility manager Lyn Polson described the van as "life-changing”.

"It now gives us the freedom to take our residents who are not mobile to appointments, just out on day trips, and to join in on activities with everybody else.”