A SPECIAL boat to enable disabled visitors to enjoy a range of activities at Roadford Lake took to the waters last week. The Mark II Wheelyboat was provided by the Wheelyboat Trust and has a flat deck and is easy to board. The boat was sponsored by the Hedley Foundation, a charity for children and adults with cerebral palsy and communication difficulties, Lloyds TSB and the Environment Agency. Chris Hall of South West Lakes Trust said the trust was extremely pleased to have received the Wheelyboat, which was larger than the standard boat to accommodate several wheelchairs and helpers. ?We are looking forward to seeing the boat being used on a regular basis, be it for fishing, bird watching or relaxing on the water,? Mr Hall said. The boat is named ?The William Hedley?, after the founder of the charity and is now available for hire from the Angling and Watersports Centre to anyone with disabilities. Further details are available on 01409 211507. The launch was attended by a variety of people involved in organising the arrival of the boat, including Rex Harpham of the Molly Owen Centre in Tavistock, Andy Beadsley of the Wheelyboat Trust, Lawrence Talks of the Environment Agency, Chris Hall and Evelyn Stacey of South West Lakes Trust and Fiona Edwards, who worked with Andy Beadsley in securing the boat?s funding. Rex Harpham is now hoping to provide similar facilities on the River Tamar. Details of the Wheelyboat and more information about the Wheelyboat Trust can be found at http://www.wheelyboats.org">www.wheelyboats.org
