Final funding push for Exmouth beach wheelchairs underway

A final push for funding to supply Exmouth with three beach ready wheelchairs is underway with only nine days left for the project to reach its goal of raising £20,000.

So far the Exmouth Wheelchair Project has raised a whopping £14,255 (at the time of writing) but £5,745 still needs to be found.

Today, a spokesperson for Exmouth Beach Wheelchairs updated the community on the project's progress, the spokesperson said: "Good news we are still trying to make that £20,000 to start the project, but we have just had a Pledge of £1,000 from the Normans Trust so please don't forget all those people that need our help to go on our lovely Exmouth Beach with their family's or friends so please support them.

"Thanks to all those wonderful people that have given."

Exmouth Town Councillor, Pauline Stott, the woman behind the project, has set her sights on raising a five figure sum via Crowdfunder in aid of the Exmouth Beach Wheelchairs Project.

Speaking at the end of last year Pauline urged the Exmouth community to get behind the project, she said: "Unless I can raise £7500 in the next 23 days with Crowdfunder, then I will lose out on the £30000 I could receive from the other councils.

"Please make a small pledge to make this happen their are so many people that could benefit from this which able bodies people take for granted."

Exmouth Town Council is backing the project with the aim of purchasing three all-terrain wheelchairs so that town residents and visitors with mobility issues can access the beach.

Fitted with large pneumatic wheels, the wheelchairs will be available to borrow by people with limited mobility for a small refundable cash deposit.

The chairs are suitable for all ages and are designed to help users to enjoy a day at the beach with their family and friends.

Launched on Wednesday, November 27, councillor Stott's Crowdfunder appeal aims initially to raise the minimum 25% of the projected £30,000 costs, with further match funding then potentially available from Devon County Council, East Devon District Council, Sport England and the Devon and Cornwall Police Community Resilience Fund.

It is hoped that sufficient money will be raised to purchase three wheelchairs as well as a much-needed hoist for the project and a dedicated storage unit.

Councillor Stott said she had been "blown away" by support for the project and hopes that people will dig deep and pledge sufficient funds to enable the Town Council to access the match funding so that the project can become a reality for Summer 2020.

She added: "I've met individuals who have never been on the beach and families that no longer go to the seaside as they can't go onto the beach together. This scheme will help to change that so more people can enjoy Exmouth's beautiful beach."

To find out more and make a financial pledge towards the project, please click the red button below.