Charities put wheels in motion to take off together

Friday 20 February 2015

Local skippers and pilots are teaming up to promote disability tourism in the Island and to give more disabled and disadvantaged Islanders the chance to take to the sea and sky.

Helping Wings and Wetwheels Jersey have joined forces and are planning to do more with groups across the water too.

Local skippers and pilots are teaming up to promote disability tourism in the Island and to give more disabled and disadvantaged Islanders the chance to take to the sea and sky.

Helping Wings and Wetwheels Jersey have joined forces and are planning to do more with groups across the water too.

Simon Harman from Helping Wings said: “Our charities bear striking similarities in that we both aim to give amazing experiences to Jersey’s disabled and disadvantaged communities. Our volunteer pilots gave flights to around a hundred passengers last year and we want to build on this success in the future. “

Wetwheels Trustee Andy Le Seelleur said: “It makes perfect sense to harness the amazing commitment of our volunteer skippers and pilots who give up so much of their time to make dreams come true.

“Nearly a thousand passengers enjoyed trips with us and Helping Wings last year and when Simon suggested we explore ways to work together, it was an obvious opportunity. We also believe that Jersey needs to promote the opportunities available for disability tourism more and this is a great way to start joining the dots and highlighting what many organisations can offer by way of disability activities.”

The two charities are planning a big day out in August when passengers will travel by air and sea to Guernsey before swapping over for the way home.

Mr Harman said: “If this adventure is a success, we see no reason why we can’t put on more combined trips in the future. Some passengers will get to fly a plane and helm a high-speed powerboat in the same day and that’s the kind of day they will never forget. We also plan to forge strong links with our counterparts in Guernsey as they are developing similar initiatives which are really exciting.”

Click here to visit our charity section for more information on Helping Wings and other local charities.