Grant boost for Fleetwood's beach wheelchair project

Plans to set up a beach wheelchair scheme in Fleetwood have moved a step closer thanks to a grant of almost £8,000
Fleetwood Town Council chairman, Coun Mary Stirzaker (right) hands over a cheque for Mick Gray (left) of Fleetwood Beach Wheelchair group. Photo: ‘Ravenswood PhotographyFleetwood Town Council chairman, Coun Mary Stirzaker (right) hands over a cheque for Mick Gray (left) of Fleetwood Beach Wheelchair group. Photo: ‘Ravenswood Photography
Fleetwood Town Council chairman, Coun Mary Stirzaker (right) hands over a cheque for Mick Gray (left) of Fleetwood Beach Wheelchair group. Photo: ‘Ravenswood Photography

The Fleetwood Beach Wheelchair group, a registered charity, proposes to hire out for free some specialised chairs whose fat, all terrain tyres and greater manoeuvrability will make it much easier to push a relative over sand and pebbles.

Mick Gray, chairman of the charity, was aware that some people were excluded from going on the beach with their families because their normal wheelchairs couldn't handle the terrain.

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He was inspired after seeing a similar project in Scotland and felt sure it could work not only in Fleetwood but across the whole of the Fylde coast, provided there was the required funding to set the project up.

An earlier trial of a beach wheelchair at FleetwoodAn earlier trial of a beach wheelchair at Fleetwood
An earlier trial of a beach wheelchair at Fleetwood

Now the group has been handed a cheque for £7,836 by Fleetwood Town Council in addition to an earlier donation of £2,500 by Fleetwood Rotary Club, which can help propel the project forward.

It means that in addition to the group's existing ‘Hippocampe’ chair which is suitable for the use of either an adult or a child, they have been able to acquire an additional ‘DeBug’ chair which is for the use of clients who must remain in a reclined position.

The charity, which will operate the scheme and oversee it through a group of trustees, now has plans to buy further chairs and a special hoist to help people into the chairs, and it is hoped the project can be launched soon.

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Coun Mary Stirzaker, of Fleetwood Town Council, said: "We are exceptionally pleased to support this fantastic initiative, which will provide a much needed service for residents and tourists alike and help make Fleetwood a more inclusive town.

"When we saw one of the trials for the chairs on Fleetwood beach, involving a family from out of town, the look on their faces when they were able to get their son further out onto the beach was worth the money alone.

"I'm surprised they don't already have a scheme like this in Blackpool, it can make such a big difference to people and we'll be really proud when it's up and running in Fleetwood."

Malcolm Lewis, spokesman for Fleetwood Beach Wheelchair group said: "This additional funding has gone a long way in enabling us to consider purchasing three more specialist chairs, which is now under review.

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"It has brought the reality of bringing beach chairs for the disabled that much closer to fruition, and the group are keen now to get the service running as soon as possible."

The Fleetwood Beach Wheelchair group is also currently in negotiations over a beachside premises in Fleetwood from which to run the scheme and store the chairs.

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