Accessible boat to be launched on Lough Ramor
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the Wheelyboat V20 is specially designed to meet the specific needs and is fully wheelchair accessibleImage 2 of 4
The boat, which can carry 10 people, will be officially launched and have its maiden voyage on Saturday, June 18, at 10am.Image 3 of 4
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There was huge excitement as the Coulam V20 Accessible Boat arrived to the shores of Lough Ramor. Back (from left): Kevin Mac Diarmaud, Mick Gillick (Treasurer) Farrell Brady, Lakeside Manor Hotel, (Sponsor), Mervyn Roe, Barrie Owen, Stephen Maher, Liam Cummins, Linda and Terry O'Shea, John Wilson (Commodore, Ramor Watersports Club) and Adrian Whitman; front, Michael O'Reilly, John Shortt, Peter Kavanagh, Jim O'Reilly, Christy Hanlon (Club Secretary) and Andy Beadsley (Boat Supplier).Virginia’s newest boat has taken to the water and will be officially launched this weekend.
A dream has come through for the voluntary team in Ramor Watersports Club to have an accessible boat on Lough Ramor. In 2021 they launched a fundraising campaign to raise €70,000 to purchase a "Coulam V20" Accessible Boat and it was delivered on Tuesday evening, June 14, in advance of the official launch by Minister Heather Humphreys this Saturday, June 18, at 10am, and the Club is inviting the local community to the official launch and naming ceremony.
The Coulam V20 Accessible boat is just one of 18 in all of Ireland and the Club encourages those with mobility issues, as well as the able bodied, to experience a guided trip of Lough Ramor.
The boat, which can carry 10 people, will be officially launched and have its maiden voyage on Saturday, June 18, at 10am. Local paralympians Britney Arendse and Kerrie Leonard will be on hand, with Ramor Watersports Club member and wheelchair user Jim O’Reilly taking on the role of skipper.
The boat will be escorted onto the lake by a flotilla of other local boats.
With a target of €70,000 to raise the Club are currently at €65,000, just €5,000 short of the target and have an iDonate page set up for anybody who would like to help get them to their target – all donations are much appreciated no matter how small: the https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/RamorWheelyBoat