Visit and presentation to Wirral Disabled Marine Association

17/09/2013

On Sunday 15th September, Montse, Linda and Chris paid a visit to Wirral Disabled Marine Association on West Kirby promenade.

WDMA were founded 31 years ago and over that time have introduced more than 800 mixed ability adults and children to Imagensailing. At present WDMA have 70 members comprising of 50 disabled sailors and 20 volunteer helpers The ages of the disabled sailors range from 3 years old to 91 years old. Any person with any disability is welcome to join in and learn to sail. They are always in need of new helpers who can help in any way, either helmsmen/women or even just helping with people and boats. They have specially designed Ideal dinghies which are wooden and can take ip to 5 people and 2 Access dinghies for 1/2 persons. They also have safety boat with engine!

ImagenAs the leaders get older it has been more difficult to manhandle the boats to the Marine Lake. The Montse Benitez Foundation were very proud to be able to buy a specially made trailer to take their boats from their boathouse on the prom to the launch site at the waters edge. The hoist can be transported on the trailer to the waters edge, this hoist enabled disabled people to enter the boats with grace and dignity.

At present the WDMA meets on Tuesday evenings and Sundays. Sadly as the weather worsens and winter closes in the sailing season will come to an end early October. We had a full explanation about WMDA and informal chat with Marje McCarthy their Chairperson and Eddie Dodd their President. We met quite a few of the yachtsmen/women and wish them luck and good weather next season in the knowledge that life will be easier moving their boats from their boathouse to the Marine Lake.

WDMA have a website with contact numbers www.wdma.co.uk

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Various pictures taken on the occasion of the visit of MBF to Wirral Disabled Marine Association.