STRATFORD-upon-Avon Boat Club can begin work on a new project to improve their adaptive section thanks to a large donation from the town’s Rotary Club.
Stratford’s adaptive section is the largest of its kind in the UK, however, access for those with a disability around the club and especially to the water is poor.
A stable, floating landing stage pontoon, flat wheelchair friendly access in the grounds and a lift to the club’s upstairs training rooms are all needed with large scale funding required to carry out the project which is beyond the means of the club.
And the Rotary Club of Stratford-upon-Avon have made a sizeable donation to help fund the initial steps of the project including all the design and permission work.
Stratford Boat Club’s head adaptive coach, Mark Dewdney, said: “The Stratford Boat Club believes in delivering the best access possible to its disabled members, the scheme will be a major step forward.
“Stratford Rotary Club have shown faith in our vision and we thank them for this, it has given us all a real boost.”
Stratford Boat Club’s President, Paul Stanton, added: “Stratford Boat Club has a long relationship with Stratford Rotary and we admire their tireless efforts to help fund good causes and charities in Stratford upon Avon.
“For many years Stratford Boat Club has helped with Stratford Rotary’s pivotal fundraising activities such as the annual Shakespeare Rotary Marathon and the Duck Race in August.
“The hard work put in by Stratford Rotary has benefitted not only good causes but also the commercial and community wellbeing of Stratford upon Avon.
“In this our 150th year of the Boat Club’s formation, the pontoon landing stage and access project will be a lasting legacy for adaptive sport in the area, region and nationally and Stratford Rotary’s priming donation has set the early plans going but we need substantial support from local, regional and national companies and organisations to achieve this ambitious goal.”
