Under the blistering heat at this year’s CLA Game Fair, the Tweed Foundation were presented with the 2008 Alan Faulkner Memorial Award sponsored by Suzuki, consisting of a DF4 outboard engine.
The Alan Faulkner Award, which was created in memory of the founder of the Wheelyboat Trust, is presented to the game fishery which goes beyond ‘doing their bit’ and strives to improve access for disabled anglers in the form of opportunities, services and facilities.
The Tweed Foundation have been working very closely with the Wheelyboat Trust and JM Coulam Boatbuilders over the last few years to develop a new wheelchair accessible boat and in 2006 launched Tweedability 1. This opened up the River Tweed’s first class game angling to those who are wheelchair bound.
The Tweed Foundation then continued to develop access for the disabled to the Tweed by hosting a gala Charity auction and dinner. This was to raise funds for the development costs of the Tweed Wheelyboat, to purchase two more for the Tweed Foundation and to give funds to the Wheelyboat Trust to enable them to supply boats to other rivers.
The event was such a success that funds have also been allocated for the costs of gaining planning approval to create up to 40 new paths along the Tweed. This is intended to develop access for disabled anglers to the Tweed wanting to use one of the two Tweed Wheelyboats, shortly to be three in October.
Director of the Wheelyboat Trust, Andy Beadsley, commented at the presentation, "The Tweed Foundation have gone over and above the call of duty, there is nobody else doing as much for disabled anglers as they are". He continued, "two years ago the Tweed, which is the number one salmon river in the UK was totally inaccessible for wheelchairs but thanks to the Tweed Foundation this is no longer the case".
Gareth Lumsdaine, Sales & Marketing Manager for Suzuki GB Marine commented after presenting the Suzuki DF4 outboard engine, "Suzuki are proud to be part of this, at Suzuki we believe everybody should be able to enjoy being on the water and with the efforts of groups such as the Tweed Foundation this is becoming more of a reality".
To learn more about the Wheelyboat Trust visit www.wheelyboats.org. To find out more about the Tweed Foundation visit www.tweedfoundation.org.uk.
