Wetwheels Jersey, the disability power boating charity, can set sail in 2021 with peace of mind following the donation of two new life rafts from the Skipton Community Fund.
The charity is set to welcome up to 1,200 people onto its vessel this year.
The Skipton Community Fund stepped forward to answer the charity’s call to help replace its old life rafts, covering the costs for one six-man and one eight-man life raft along with accompanying grab bags which contain first aid and safety equipment.
Dina Rogan, Operations Director of Wetwheels Jersey, told Channel Eye: “It’s been a challenging time for us as a charity and we continue to experience challenges in funding our excursions. Our vessel costs £52,000 a year to maintain and operate, so the support of corporate partners is invaluable to us. We are so thankful to the Skipton Community Fund for covering the cost of our life rafts as these items are an integral part of our safety equipment.”
The Wetwheels Jersey experience, which allows disabled people of all ages the chance to enjoy power boating, is currently booked up to August with expectations that it could be the busiest year for the charity as more people and community groups look to utilise the service following the relaxation of Covid restrictions. In 2019 the charity welcomed 1,169 people on board its boat.
Lorraine Mclean, Mortgage Sales Manager at Skipton International said: “We are always happy to support charities like Wetwheels Jersey who are trying to overcome the impact of the pandemic since they are part of what makes Jersey such a wonderful place to live. The Skipton Community Fund remains a lifeline to those smaller organisations that maybe don’t have such a high profile but are doing amazing work within our community.”
The Skipton Community Fund was established in 2018 and has since helped more than 50 community projects across the Channel Islands. Skipton International is a leading savings bank and mortgage provider committed to giving back more to the island than what it takes through a programme of volunteer work, financial support and sustainable goals.
The main photo shows (left to right) Lucy Munroe of Skipton International, Dina Rogan of Wetwheels Jersey and Lorrain McLean of Skipton International.
