A marina in Nantwich will soon be hosting free boat trips and water activities for disabled and mobility impaired residents.
The Overwater Wheelyboat Project aims to buy a specially-built boat with wheelchair, walking frame and walking stick access for people.
The boat will be moored at Overwater Marina, on the Shropshire Union Canal, between Nantwich and Audlem.
Rodney Cottrell, the organiser of the project, said: “There are more than 16,000 registered wheelchair users in Cheshire East, Cheshire West and North Staffordshire.
“The Wheelyboat will provide an enriching life-experience to many people who wouldn’t otherwise have access to the canals.”
Overwater Marina, recently awarded 2015 THYA Marina of the Year, has hosted a similar charity boat service, the Audlem Lass for the last four years.
This has proved a big success, providing a weekend taxi service from the marina into the picturesque village of Audlem for the cost of a donation to the RNLI.
It’s hoped the MK III Wheelyboat, which is a specially designed 5.3m aluminium boat with a drop-down bow door for roll-on, roll–off boarding, will be in place by May this year.
The new Wheelyboat will be crewed by volunteer skippers who currently operate the Audlem Lass, which carried 4,000 passengers every year.
The Wheelyboat Trust, a charity dedicated to providing opportunities to mobility impaired people, has already supplied 164 similar wheelyboats in the UK.
The Overwater Wheelyboat Project Fundraising Appeal is looking for donations and support. All contributions are welcome.
For more information, visit www.overwaterwheelyboat.co.uk or contact Rodney Cottrell at [email protected] or on 01270 811 454 for further details.
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