A TAVISTOCK College student with disabilities enjoyed the thrill of a boat ride for the first time thanks to the determination of staff.

All of the college's Year 7 students, including Ginny Butcher who has muscular dystrophy and a respiratory problem, took a trip to Sibleyback Lake to take part in team-building activities such as canoeing and initiative exercises, and staff were resolute that Ginny should be part of the fun.

Ginny's condition means she is wheelchair-bound and needs a ventilator to breathe, but John Collacott, director of personal development, passed a unique qualification allowing him to take her out on a specially designed Wheelyboat.

The craft is constructed specifically to carry wheelchairs, meaning Ginny was able to enjoy the day alongside all the other students.

Mr Collacott said: 'Ginny was so excited and so were her carers, she was fully involved all the way through.

'When I took her out on the Wheelyboat she was saying "more revs, more revs". She's got a little horn on her wheelchair and she was sounding it to the other children all the time.'

Mr Collacott said the Royal Yachting Association qualification on Wheelyboat competency means he could take Ginny to other venues with such a craft.

He said: 'Thank you to the South West Lakes Trust, which went out of its way to arrange a one-to-one tuition course. It's difficult to put into words the difference it's made for her, she was involved as much as she could be.

Ginny's mother, Sally, said: 'Gin had a great time. She was nervous about the Wheelyboat until she saw it and then really enjoyed it.

'The sun shone for her and the only disappointment was that she could not swim in the lake like everybody else did. It was a very successful day thanks to Tavistock College and her helpers.'

Fellow Year 7 student Ed Larkin also attends the college in a wheelchair, but decided to paddle in a canoe rather than ride on the Wheelyboat. He was lifted from his chair into the canoe and had a fantastic time splashing around on the lake.