More disabled people than ever before are discovering the freedom and exhilaration of being out on the water with Wetwheels Foundation. As the charity grows, it is calling on supporters to protect and strengthen the organisation that makes this possible, ensuring many more people can share that confidence and joy in the years ahead.
Following its strongest year to date, Wetwheels is setting an ambitious new target: to raise £250,000 through a Three-Year Core Capacity Fund.
The ambition is clear – to build the executive capacity needed to sustain and grow Wetwheels’ UK-wide operation and open up the water to many more disabled people.
As a registered charity, Wetwheels Foundation supports a network of eight fully wheelchair-accessible powerboats operating across the UK, enabling disabled people as well as their families to enjoy life-changing experiences at sea.
The national Foundation is what makes every Wetwheels experience possible – providing the direction, management and resources each operator needs to thrive. The Fund will invest in the people, systems and infrastructure needed for consistent delivery across all eight operators and develop new partnerships and sustainable income streams. It will also reduce reliance on volunteer trustees and part-time individuals for fundraising, operational development and day-to-day direction, allowing greater focus on strategy and oversight.
WHY NOW?
In 2024-25, the charity delivered 1,404 inclusive experiences for more than 11,000 participants. Of those on board, 54% were experiencing open water for the very first time, with 1,826 wheelchair users taking part. Together, volunteers and crews gave more than 2,500 hours to make those experiences possible. Wetwheels now needs greater central capacity to carry this momentum forward and meet growing demand.
“Wetwheels has proved the demand, the impact and the need. Now we must build the capacity to match it,” said Trevor Phillips, Chairman of Wetwheels Foundation. “Philanthropy has already shown what it can unlock. The generosity of James Ashton and his family funded Wetwheels Torbay, our eighth fully accessible boat, which enabled more than 500 disabled people and their families to experience the Devon coastline in its first five months alone.
That is the difference one decisive act of giving can make. With the right backing now, we can create lasting impact across all our operators and open up the water to many more disabled people for years to come.”
HOW TO SUPPORT
There are many ways to assist Wetwheels Foundation and every contribution makes a genuine difference.
- A donation helps protect the national Foundation behind every Wetwheels operator across the UK – funding leadership, safety, training, management and the infrastructure that makes every accessible boating experience possible.
- Supporters can also organise fundraising events, from sailing challenges and swims to cycling events, club fundraisers or community activities. Every pound raised enables more disabled people to experience the life-changing benefits of being on the water.
- For businesses, clubs and organisations looking for a meaningful cause to champion, partnering with Wetwheels Foundation is an investment in one of the UK’s leading accessible boating charities. Every partnership strengthens the organisation behind the boats and the experiences they deliver every day.
- Individuals can also choose to get behind Wetwheels by making a donation today or remembering the Foundation in their Will. Both offer a meaningful way to enable more disabled people to experience the freedom and sense of possibility that life on the water can bring, now and for years to come.
By contributing to the £250,000 Three-Year Fund, supporters can help protect what Wetwheels Foundation has proudly built and give the charity the capacity to bring the joy of being on the water to many more disabled people. The sea should be for everyone, and no one should be left watching from the shore.
To discuss further please contact info@wetwheelsfoundation.co.uk
