A charity providing boating trips for disabled people has announced its season is coming to a close.

Wetwheels Hamble, based in MDL Marina in Hamble, provided more than 300 trips between October 2023 and September 2024, a rise of 12 per cent from the previous year, thanks to the support of local people and businesses.

The charity served 2,362 participants in total, with 1,080 being first-time passengers. This included 308 wheelchair users and 694 disabled ambulant participants.

The trips catered to a wide range of age groups, with many guests being residents of Hound Parish Council.

The charity is planning to conduct some trips in October, including Halloween-themed outings for younger guests and Remembrance trips in November.

During the winter months, Wetwheels Hamble will be carrying out essential repairs and maintenance to its boat, as well as recruiting and training new volunteers.

Wetwheels Hamble has also been recognised nationally as a finalist in two categories – Small Charity of the Year and Volunteer Team of the Year – at the Third Sector Awards.

One participant’s husband whose wife has dementia said: "Your trips bring back her memories. Thank you for giving me my wife back for an hour or so."

Another said: "The single most powerful thing about Wetwheels Hamble is that it’s the ONLY activity a family with a disabled member can undertake together."

The charity is now planning its schedule for 2025 and has announced there are a few spaces left on its Halloween and Remembrance trips.

For more information, interested parties can visit wetwheelshamble.co.uk or book directly through bokkeo.com/wetwheelshamble.