Allied Mobility, the leading supplier of wheelchair accessible vehicles in the UK, is proud to announce the funding of two key initiatives aimed at increasing accessibility to water sports for individuals with disabilities. Donations have been made to Inclusive Surfing Scotland and the Disabled Sailors Association as part of our ongoing commitment to move people and make a difference in their lives.
Inclusive Surfing Scotland, a newly established charity, has been awarded £2,335 from Allied Mobility’s charitable arm, The Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust, to cover half of the cost of a specially adapted seated tandem surfboard, with the Weir Charitable Trust also funding half.
This funding will enable the charity to provide unique surfing experiences to individuals with complex needs, including wheelchair users and those with sensory impairments. The surfboard, a key piece of equipment for their operations, will be used at the beaches of East Lothian, the Borders, and Fife starting around May/June 2024.
Ian Donaldson from Inclusive Surfing Scotland expressed his gratitude, stating,
"We at Inclusive Surfing Scotland are absolutely delighted to have been awarded £2,335 by the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust. We are a new charity, and Allied Mobility have shown amazing belief in our mission to make surfing accessible to everyone. The award will contribute towards a bespoke seated tandem surfboard, with an attached bucket seat, that will allow surfers with complex needs to ride the waves."
The Disabled Sailors Association received £1,500, which will fund sailing experiences for 20 individuals in 2024.
This contribution will support the Association’s wide range of activities, including tailored sailing days and competitive events, designed specifically to cater to sailors with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities and those requiring wheelchair access.
Susan Simmons of The Disabled Sailors Association remarked on the impact of this funding, saying,
"Over the past 30 years, the Disabled Sailors Association has provided active sailing for people with all types of disabilities, no matter how complex their needs, together with their family and carers, in our specially adapted fleet of boats. Thanks to the generosity of the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust, 20 people will enjoy the improvements to their mental health, happiness and confidence, that the exhilarating sport of sailing creates."
David Facenna, Director at Allied Mobility, said:
"We are immensely proud to support these fantastic initiatives that align perfectly with our values of inclusion and accessibility. It’s essential that everyone has the opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of sports like surfing and sailing."
"These activities are not just sports; they are powerful platforms for improving mental health, personal confidence, and social interaction. We look forward to seeing the joy and freedom these projects bring to participants."