Wheelchair Boat Launch at Cobnor - 16th September 2004

Some of you may have been on the newly built wheelchair boat at the Family Fun Weekend at Cobnor last June. In September, the boat was officially named and launched by the Duke of Richmond and Gordon. I was invited (with my father) to the ceremony to represent Wellspring.

It was a beautiful sunny day, and as I arrived there was an air of excitement as everybody was given a name badge. I was quickly given a life jacket and went to get on the boat. There were three other people in wheelchairs also waiting to get on board, so one by one we all were escorted down the slope to the water where the boat was moored. It was decorated with coloured flags, which made the boat look extra special. As we were getting on board, a crowd of spectators had gathered at the edge of the water.

We had all got safely on board and were enjoying the general scene when the Meridian News crew arrived and asked if they could film some people getting on the boat! Luckily, I was able to stay on the boat in my electric wheelchair, while a man and a lady in manual chairs had to be pushed off the boat and halfway up the slop, in order to be filmed getting on!

Once we were all safely on board (again) the Duke was brought down to the boat where he made a speech and cut a red ribbon which had been put across the front of the boat. After this, he got onto the boat and was filmed greeting us all, then got off again - rather to my surprise! He joined the rest of the crowd who waved us off across the water.
We were then taken on a beautiful trip round Chichester Harbour, all the way up to Itchenor and almost as far as Dell Quay. It felt really amazing to be able to be out on the water with the fresh sea air in my face.

I would definitely recommend the wheelchair boat to all readers who are coming to this year's Family Fun Weekend. It is a great way of enjoying the water, especially if you are not able to go in the canoes.

Lizzie Baily lizzie@wellspringwestsussex.org.uk