Club dedicated to helping disabled people sail has launched its most exciting boat yet on dry land in Harborough

A booming club dedicated to helping disabled people sail has launched its most exciting boat yet on dry land in Market Harborough.

Northampton Sailability has generated £12,500 to draft in the super-sleek Welland Flyer to its growing fleet of 20 craft.

Market Harborough Building Society Charitable Foundation ploughed in over £2,000 to speed the mighty boat on its way.

And, fittingly, the vessel was officially named by building society chief executive Mark Robinson in The Square just yards away from their historic Harborough home.

Speaking after the ceremony on Friday March 13, thrilled Mark told the Harborough Mail: “We are delighted to be able to help Northampton Sailability acquire this magnificent boat.

“We are here to support our local community across Harborough.

“And clubs like this one do so much fantastic work with inspirational people, who really make you think.”

He added: “We’ve had our charitable foundation for 20 years.

“We have given away an amazing £250,000 over that time to great causes such as Northampton Sailability.

“This boat will have a positive long-term impact for the club and this is a genuine good news story in very challenging times.”

Based at Pitsford Reservoir, Chris Bignell, principal of Northampton Sailability, said: “This is a very big day for all of us.

“Welland Flyer will be our most exciting boat and will do double the speed of any of our other craft!

“A lot of people are going to have a lot of fun in this incredible boat in the years to come.”

He said they had built up a tight-knit team of 72 volunteers and 53 members – coming from all over the Harborough area.

“We take people sailing who have a wide range of mental and physical disabilities.

“We also have wheelchair users and employ special hoists to lift them into our dinghies,” said Chris, of Naseby.

“We’ve been going since 1996 and love the work we do.

“And I’d like to say a huge thank you to Market Harborough Building Society for helping us land this brilliant boat.”

Emma Dakin, 52, travels from her home in Lutterworth every week from April to October to go sailing at Pitsford – and she’s been blind since birth.

Beaming from ear to ear, inspiring Emma said: “I’ve already been out in the Welland Flyer – and she’s a true flyer!

“She’s so fast and easily the most exhilarating boat we have.

“Sailing is right at the heart of my life, I just love it.”

She said she took to sailing like a duck to water in 2004 – and has never looked back.

Now an assistant instructor, Emma added: “I navigate around Pitsford Reservoir using my own special clock system in relation to local landmarks.

“Sailing is so relaxing, so good for your mental as well as physical health.

“We are always looking for new members so come along and join us out on the water – you’ll love it.”

If you would like to find out more about Northampton Sailabilty check out their website here:

https://www.northamptonsailability.org.uk/