Most of us take for granted our mobility. The summer months have seen us enjoying the sunshine, out on bicycles, walking or messing about on the river. But for those in our community who lack the mobility to enable them to enjoy that freedom, Spelthorne now has a wonderful new addition – a community boat.
‘Impossible Dream ‘ is a motor cruiser, specially adapted to be able to take disabled passengers. Funding from the Big Lottery Awards for All has paid for it to be specially modified to take wheelchairs. It has also had a full sun canopy fitted to protect passengers from either a good old British downpour, or from the blazing sunshine.
Impossible Dream (what a fabulous name), is a boat donated by local businessman Mike Browne. Mike was owner of Snow and Rock. He himself had an accident and is now a paraplegic. Having lived the fast and furious sporty life himself, he realised all too well what a loss mobility is and wanted to put something back into the community. The vessel is being supported by Queen Mary Sailability and work was done at Bridge Marine who are giving it free mooring for a year.
I recently joined the Impossible Dream on a glorious afternoon for a trip up the river to see what she had to offer. I was on the first trip with a ‘client’. Jean Johnson from Sunbury suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. She manages with the help of a walker. Taking a boat trip on the Thames would not usually be within her scope however, with problems of access and safety. That is where Impossible Dream comes in.
A special pontoon is let down and Jean was able to wheel her walker infront of her and get on board easily. The trip reminded her of her childhood when she and her friends used to mess about in canoes.
Impossible Dream is manned by volunteers from Sailability and the Desborough Sailing Club. Many people and organisations have come together to make this dream happen.
If you are interested in finding out about group of individual cruises, please contact email alanwoolford@aol.com or call 01932 252007.