Sea trip fun for disabled children

By Press Release Oct 11, 2021

Children with disabilities enjoyed exciting boat trips organised with the support of the children’s services team at the Isle of Wight Council.

Working with the department, Cowes Sailability Club arranged exciting days out on the water for young Islanders who have physical or learning disabilities.

The young people were able to enjoy trips on a specially adapted, wheelchair-accessible motorboat, along with their parents and siblings.
Paul Wilks, Commodore of Cowes Sailability Club, said: “It can be so difficult for parents to find fun activities to do with their children, when one person in the family has a disability.

“It was lovely to be able to provide accessible boating trips and see so many Island families having a great day out together.”

Cowes North ward councillor, Richard Quigley, was among the visitors who observed the positive impact that the boating trips had on the young people.

He said: “It was a privilege to go out with Cowes Sailability Club and see the amazing work this charity does. You can see the difference in confidence from when a young person gets on a boat to when they get off. The smiles say it all.”
In total, 60 places on the boat were made available to the children’s services department and then allocated to families across the Isle of Wight.