Dart Sailability enables anybody with any mental or physical disability to enjoy sailing, boating and social activities on the River Dart in Devon. The charity is entirely run and managed by volunteers. It owns a wide range of boats enabling people with any disability to take to the water, whether in a dinghy, a yacht or on the ARK - our bespoke aluminium recreational craft which accommodates several wheelchairs. Sailing and water based activities run from May until September and then a programme of maintenance and training takes place during the winter months. The charity is independent but is part of the Royal Yachting Association and all members, whether volunteers or sailors with disabilities, have the opportunity to gain valuable qualifications. Sailing usually takes place twice per week during summer and the our sailors also compete in regattas and races. Social activities include barbecues on the beach, fish and chips at our favourite pub on the River Dart, illustrated talks, workshops and wildlife cruises. No experience is necessary and we welcome people with lots of skills or no skills. Our youngest member joined when she was just eight and our oldest member is now 90. It costs about £30,000 per year to keep the charity going which comes from grants, donations, legacies, merchandise, events and sponsorship. The charity is based in Dartmouth, Devon and our sailing base is on the east coast of the River Dart at Galmpton.
It costs about £1,000 per year to keep our sailors afloat. It is relatively easy to get funding for equipment and specific tangible items (new sails etc.) . However, it is extremely difficult to fund our operating costs which are substantial and include general maintenance, insurance, handling and First Aid training, fuel for our safety boats, utility bills (electricity, WIFI and water at our sailing base), certification and safety checks on our mandatory buoyancy aids for sailors and volunteers etc. Because we deal with people with a wide range of serious physical and mental conditions, we must comply with very strict legislation regards safety. We would like to spend this generous donation on the above vital operating costs which ensure we can keep our sailors afloat.
The charity enables anybody with any mental or physical disability to enjoy sailing, boating and socialising. For many of our disabled sailors, our sailing sessions are the highlight of their week and they always say that they feel so much better physically and mentally after being out on the water. No matter their level of experience, our sailors and volunteers can explore the beautiful River Dart safe in the knowledge that there is a huge amount of support for them. After sailing sessions there's always time for a natter, a cuppa and cake which alleviates the social isolation that many people with disabilities can feel. Not long ago, a sailor who is paralysed said: "When I'm out of my wheelchair on the water I'm no longer in a prison - I'm just a normal person" and I think that speaks volumes about the benefits the charity delivers. It costs about £30,000 per year to keep our sailors afloat and it is always difficult to raise money for operating costs such as insurance, safety checks on our hoist and buoyancy aids and general maintenance of our fleet of boats. This generous donation will really help towards those costs and we are truly grateful.
Kate Graeme-Cook, Fundraiser
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