Beneficiaries

Launching new skills for young

The Sunshine Fund were delighted to give £25,000 to the Coquet Shawbase Trust in Amble so that they could purchase some specially adapted boats.

Splashing about on the river these children are among hundreds to benefit from new specially developed boats.

The Coquet Shorebase trust, in Amble, Northumberland, provides sailing lessons and courses for people all over the region and is keen to provide facilities for disabled people to enjoy. And, after applying for a grant from the Sunshine Fund, the trust has been able to afford several specially adapted sailing dinghies – which have allowed the trust to continue with their work.

Paul Hewitt, who has been centre manager for the company since 2001, said: “When we applied to the Sunshine Fund we were not sure how far we would get – and we certainly didn’t think we would get almost £25,000. The money has been put to good use though, and we have purchased several sailing dinghies with special access for the disabled.

“They are brilliant because they allow people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to sail the chance to experience it first hand. And because they are specially adapted it also allows the people to do more than just sit in the boat – they can actually help to sail it.

The money from the Sunshine Fund has been great because, without it, we wouldn’t have been able to afford them and this has allowed us to provide more services – which is brilliant.”

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