Herald - Issue 416

9th December 2021 • The HERALD • Page 51 v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v WE CARE, YOU CARE Young and Old Enjoy a Life on the Ocean Wave Sailors young and old are set to have a swell time on the water thanks to the latest community donation from ExxonMobil Fawley. A donation of £3,000 to Wetwheels Hamble will see dozens of children with disabilities as well as local care home residents with dementia enjoying the sensation of being out on the water. e funding will enable the community interest company (CIC) to host six days of power boating targeted at youngsters from local schools as well as care home residents who have experienced loneliness and isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And, with up to four trips a day and ten sailors on each trip, around 200 participants will be fully immersing themselves in the boating experience. “For some it is a very sensory experience – feeling the sensation of bouncing around on the water and the spray on their faces, while for others inclusivity is important - getting themselves on board in their wheelchairs and driving the boat,” explained Jennie Austin, director of Wetwheels Hamble. “Whatever the reason, disabilities or worries are left behind on the shore, and the families and carers can relax and laugh together.” e Wetwheels Foundation was set up 10 years ago to enable everyone to enjoy the thrill of power boating. Wetwheels Hamble has been around for six years and relies on a dedicated band of volunteers to keep it running. It runs and maintains one of six specially-designed catamaran power boats around the country, with others in Portsmouth, Jersey, Whitby, Dover and Falmouth, and more in the pipeline. “COVID-19 did affect us quite a bit, but we set ourselves a target of getting 1,000 people out on the boat this year, and we are already at 1,250,” added Jennie. This generous donation from ExxonMobil is simply amazing and the Wetwheels Hamble team can’t wait to get more people in the local community out to benefit from our confidence-building and life- affirming experiences.” Angharad Vaughan, Community A airs Adviser at ExxonMobil Fawley, said: “Given the difficult time many people have had recently and the effect it may have had on their mental health and wellbeing, this is a great way for them to enjoy themselves and get out in the fresh air with other people. We are happy to be able to facilitate this for both youngsters and the elderly in our neighbouring communities.” Chloe Parr from The Harbour at The Hamble School enjoying a Wetwheels outing, with ExxonMobil Fawley in the background If you are unable to take donations to the Dibden Purlieu Charity Shop, don’t worry because the lovely volunteers will come to collect from you! If you are based in the Waterside area they are able to collect ladies and mens clothes along with shoes, books, jigsaws, Bric a Brac, small electrical items and small items of furniture such as chairs, co ee table, bedside cabinets, etc. Please telephone their Dibden Purlieu Shop 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday on 023 8087 9311 to arrange collection. ey are also in need of Volunteers on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm as presently they are not able to open due to a shortage of help; they also need volunteer help on weekdays. Volunteering can be so rewarding, so if you would like to learn new skills, meet new people and make a di erence to the local community then please call in and pick up an application form or ring the o ce on: 023 8084 1199. AGE CONCERN NEW FOREST COLLECTION SERVICE