Bridport’s West Bay Beach Wheelchair Scheme gets a lifeline after council meeting, ensuring access for disabled beachgoers continues.
Bridport: Residents and volunteers were worried that the West Bay Beach Wheelchair Scheme might stop due to a lack of help. This scheme is super important for giving disabled beachgoers access to the beach and sea.
Parkdean Resorts, which runs the West Bay Holiday Park, had to stop taking bookings for the beach wheelchairs, leaving the future of the scheme uncertain. But good news came from a recent Bridport Town Council meeting.
They decided to meet with Elaine Leader, the scheme’s founder, to discuss taking over the bookings. This means the project can keep going, which is a huge relief for everyone involved.
Elaine, who was worried about the scheme’s future, expressed her joy after the meeting. She said it was emotional and that this decision would be great for the project. Her mother, who used a wheelchair, was a big supporter of the scheme before she passed away in August 2023.
During the meeting, residents shared how much the wheelchair hire program means to them. One resident, Bill Shelton, got emotional talking about how using a beach wheelchair allows him to swim and enjoy the beach, which is vital for his health.
He shared a touching story about a nine-year-old boy who had never been to the beach before and a family who hadn’t been able to enjoy the beach for ten years due to their son’s condition. The scheme really brings families together and makes beach days possible for many.
Launched in March 2023, the West Bay Beach Wheelchair scheme is a collaboration between the town council, local volunteers, and Parkdean Resorts. Elaine has raised an impressive £50,000 for the project, thanks to community support.
She mentioned that for many users, it’s a joyful experience, often the first time they’ve been in the sea or on the beach. Elaine is set to meet with town councillors soon to discuss how they can further support this fantastic initiative.
