Wakefield personal injury specialist supports ‘royal launch’ of the Wetwheels Foundation’s first Yorkshire Powerboat
Following eighteen months of support and fundraising, Wakefield-based personal injury specialist, Minster Law, was proud to help the Wetwheels Foundation launch its first powerboat in the Yorkshire region in August.
The foundation, which provides water-based experiences for those who are less able-bodied and people in wheelchairs, even enlisted the help of Princess Anne to unveil the new vessel at its base in Whitby! The official launch of the new Yorkshire powerboat took place from 30 July to 3 August and all trips during ‘Royal Week’ were sponsored and subsidised by Minster Law.
While powerboating is a popular pastime for those who love adventure, research by Wetwheels identified that a significant number of people in wheelchairs are missing out due to a lack of accessible powerboats. Using specially modified powerboats, the adventurous trips help to build the confidence of its passengers by providing the opportunity to access the sea in a fun, safe and stimulating way. The foundation already operates four modified boats in the South of England but wanted to be able to provide a fully accessible boat in the North of England too.
Minster Law first pledged its support to Wetwheels in February 2017. Since then, the personal injury specialist has donated more than £6,500 to the foundation via various fundraising and sponsorship opportunities including supporting Wetwheels’ soap box challenge and a charity wheelchair basketball match. With the support of other donors and partner organisations, Wetwheels’ boating experiences will enable passengers to steer the vessel, learn seamanship and discover new opportunities alongside their friends and families.
Wetwheels Yorkshire Chairman, Peter Richardson, said: “the Make a Difference team at Minster Law instantly recognised the unique opportunities Wetwheels afforded its participants and have supported us from the very start. We are delighted to be working with such a dynamic, caring organisation”
Speaking on behalf of Minster Law’s Make a Difference team, Amanda Newton said: “When I first heard about Wetwheels, I could see the synergies with Minster Law. We support people who’ve faced life changing injuries and help them when they are at their most vulnerable. We work with our clients through rehabilitation with hopes to try help them reach the same level of fulfilment in their lives as they had before the accident. Geoff Holt MBE, the founder of Wetwheels, ended up in a wheelchair following an accident and he’s never let it stop him. Geoff was determined that people affected by disabilities or life altering injuries would have the same opportunities as able bodied people and he’s worked so hard on Wetwheels, he really is inspirational and we were only too happy to get involved. This project has been fantastic to be involved in and to finally see the boat at sea was just fantastic.”
* Minster Law’s Make a Difference team works with registered charities and groups that help to improve the lives of others within our local communities such as Wetwheels. The team’s activities include volunteering days, event sponsorship and other fundraising initiatives.
To find out more about Minster Law’s charity and fundraising initiatives, please visit www.minsterlaw.co.uk/csr.
