Boat converted for disabled use.

A Devon Lugger named Victory, was brought for the Queen Mary Sailabiltiy Club with money raised by a number of groups, including rotary clubs from around Spelthorne.

Secretary of Queen Mary Sailability, Alan Woolford, also RYA Sailability Regional Organiser for Thames Valley, was delighted with the boat and the conversion, which was carried out by Bridge Marine of Shepperton.

Alan said : This is going to make a huge difference to so many disabled people. They can now get out on the water and be on completely equal terms with able-bodied sailors. It s tremendous.

The modification was funded by RYA Sailability and involved installing a central steering wheel and seat, which allows a disabled person to tack the boat in different directions without having to move from one side to another.

Debbie Blachford , Sailability Manager attended the formal hand-over ceremony at Bridge Marine in September 2006. She said: Sailing is a wonderful way for disabled youngsters and adults to away from it all. They really can fee, they are the same as everyone else when they re out on the water.