The Royal Victoria Yacht Club (RYVC) has been welcoming guests to its Open Day for people with disabilities since 1981, which was the 1st International Year of Disabled Persons.
This year’s event took place on Saturday 8th July with over 100 guests joining the club for trips out on the water, a BBQ lunch, tea and cakes.
56 trips were enjoyed along Wootton Creek and out into the Solent. Some ventured out on fast RIBs, while wheelchair users were aboard specially adapted boats Wet Wheels and Spirit of Scott Bader. Their motor launches, Strong Arm and Albatross, offered more relaxed journeys throughout the day.
Invited guests included Sight for Wight, Mountbatten Hospice, IoW Physically Disabled, Ryde House, Hazelwood House, Southern Housing plus individual Island families with disabled members.
Deputy Lord Lieutenant Anne Longford, High Sheriff Dawn Haig-Thomas, Councillor Debbie Andre and Councillor Ian Dore spent time with guests and also got afloat.
Sarah Butler, Mountbatten’s Transition Coordinator for Young Adults, said:
“Events like this are so important to our young adults as they help to create special memories of happy and fun times spent with their family and friends. Without your generosity, this would not have been possible.”
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Deputy Lieutenant, Anne Longford, said:
“I was blown away by the effort that the many volunteers from the club put into the day, making it such a wonderful day for all the families and carers and it was clear it meant so much to every single person.”
Over 70 RVYC members volunteered to support the event, giving guests a wonderful day. A BBQ lunch and refreshments were generously provided by DW Hospitality and Medina Foodservice, with Grace’s Bakery and club members providing homemade cakes for afternoon tea, and gifts for the tombola.
Should not be so disabled then.