We need to purchase all terrain beach wheelchairs for use at Cullercoats and Tynemouth these are expensive at £3100 each. Our charity supports and facilitates play and leisure activities and respite for disabled people of all ages and their families to enjoy the freedom that the beach provides by offering free loan of specialist equipment for use on rough terrain and sand. Our facilities currently run in Newbiggin, Blyth, Whitley Bay and South Shields.
Funding is needed to purchase equipment such as beach wheelchairs and a hoist for each location. We have secured the support of the RNLI and Local Councils and Storage facilities are being provided. We believe that this facility is needed by wheelchair users in order to access areas that most of us take for granted, joining friends and family on the beach. Our volunteers are an amazing group of people including wheelchair users and people with other disabilities, coming together to support our cause.
What we'll deliver:
- Give wheelchair users access to the beaches and the sea. at Cullercoats & Tynemouth
- Enable wheelchair users to access water activities at Cullercoats & Tynemouth including paddleboarding and kayaking..
- Give volunteers an opportunity to facilitate this service, promoting volunteering and community activities.
Why it's a great idea:
We have seen the use of our service and the act of volunteering, within our organisation, enhance and change peoples lives. We have attracted media attention and the use of our service is increasing rapidly. We are planning to organise events in the future, on the beaches so that families and friends of wheelchair users can gather together to celebrate the freedom and safety of the outdoors. One such event which was planned to happen in 2020 (but of course was postponed) is our GREAT NORTH WHEELCHAIR LINE UP, on the Links at Whitley Bay. We held this event in 2019 and it was a great success, attracting media attention. When it is possible to hold it again we hope to break the Guiness World Record.
Steps to get it done:
- the purchase of an all terrain wheelchair