THE BASINGSTOKE CANAL

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Canal Boat Holidays for disabled people and their friends

Formed in 1985 by a small group of canal enthusiasts, the Boats for the Handicapped Association felt that the Basingstoke Canal should be restored for everyone to enjoy, not just the able-bodied. A new day boat, "Dawn" was launched in April 1999, to replace the "Mildred Stocks" which had been running successfully since 1986, but was getting past her "sell-by date". "Dawn" has been financed by a grant from the National Lottery Charities Board, generous donations from individuals, Charitable Trusts, and fundraising by the Association.

In 1989 the Association purchased a special rowing skiff and stable canoe. The success of these boats, together with the "Mildred Stocks" has demonstrated that once people in wheelchairs know that they can get into boats, they come again and again.

Although there have been a number of special boats catering for groups, clubs and residential homes, families with a disabled member have found it very difficult to get suitable cabin-type accomodation.

So "Madam Butterfly", a 63ft long, 9ft wide canal boat was purpose-built to enable disabled people to have holidays afloat with their families and friends.

A great deal of hard work was put into raising the 80,000 pounds Sterling needed to construct, get all the internal fittings, and the domestic requirements needed for up to seven people to have a week's holiday on board.

The boat has 7 berths, consisting of one cabin with two single beds, the settee in the saloon area turns into a double-bed, and there is a fold-down bed in that area too. There is one cabin specially designed for a severely disabled person with a hospital-type bed with a raising pillow, and if necessary, the person could spend the day looking out of the window from his/her bed. In this cabin there is a fold-down bed that can be used if the disabled person needs someone to sleep with him/her if they have to be turned during the night.

Hydraulic lifts at either end of the boat give easy access for people in wheelchairs into the boat's cabin. There are hoists to transfer from wheelchair into bed, into the special shower, and onto the toilet.There is also a second small toilet compartment with sink for able-bodied helpers to use.

Hydraulic finger-tip steering means that it is possible for a very severely disabled person to steer the boat from a wheelchair.

Having full central heating the boat can be used through all seasons, 365 days a year. The galley and full-sized oven could even cater for a Christmas Dinner!

The "Madam Butterfly" started operating in 1997, and the 1998 season saw a growing number of bookings, including one from Austria and one from Sweden!

Bookings for 1999 were well up on 1998, and have included a different party from Sweden, and a family group from Australia, so we are becoming well-known internationally!

Boats for the Handicapped Association

Patrons:
Prunella Scales and Timothy West

Enquiries and bookings should be made to - Phone: (UK) 01252 622520