More than 80 guests gathered yesterday at the Royal Southern Yacht Club to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Wetwheels Hamble and witness the presentation of the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Over the past decade, Wetwheels Hamble has enabled more than 15,000 disabled people, together with their friends and families from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, to enjoy life-changing experiences on the water aboard its fully accessible powerboat. For many participants, the experience represents freedom, confidence, inclusion and the opportunity to do something they never believed possible.
The event brought together volunteers, skippers, crew, sponsors, supporters and founding members who have all played a role in the organisation’s success. Nearly half of those attending were Wetwheels Hamble volunteers and operational crew whose commitment and generosity have enabled the charity to thrive over the past 10 years.
A highlight of the celebration was the formal presentation of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson. The award is regarded as the highest honour given to local voluntary groups in the UK and is widely recognised as the equivalent of an MBE for voluntary organisations.
The ceremony was hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club and attended by Vice Commodore Lisa Rochford, together with original Wetwheels Hamble founding members Dick Long and David Mead, Wetwheels Foundation founder Geoff Holt, sponsors including Cheetah Marine, philanthropists and supporters who have helped fund and sustain the charity since its inception.
“It was a great honour to present Wetwheels Hamble with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of the incredible contribution volunteers have made to the local community,” said Nigel Atkinson, Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire.
Andy Fell, Director of Wetwheels Hamble and Vice President of the Wetwheels Foundation, said:
“This is a tremendously proud moment for everyone connected with Wetwheels Hamble. Yesterday was not only a celebration of what has been achieved over the past 10 years, but also a chance to look ahead to what we hope to achieve in the next decade. None of this would have been possible without our incredible volunteers, crew, supporters and sponsors who continue to give their time, energy and commitment to changing lives.”
Geoff Holt MBE DL, Founder of the Wetwheels Foundation and one of the original directors of Wetwheels Hamble, added:
“I feel incredibly proud and humbled to see so many volunteers and supporters gathered together for an organisation that started with a simple belief that disabled people should have the same opportunity as everyone else to enjoy being on the water. Wetwheels has always been about inclusion, fun and breaking down barriers, and it is the volunteers who make that possible every single day for people who otherwise may never get the opportunity to experience the sea.”
The anniversary celebration served as both a reflection on an extraordinary first 10 years and a powerful reminder of the importance of volunteering within local communities. Through the dedication of its volunteers and supporters, Wetwheels Hamble continues to provide accessible maritime experiences that have a lasting impact on thousands of people every year.
