People Features

More than £13,000 was raised for the new boat by the Echo Charity. The Echo Centre is the Cornwall Council run day centre for adults with physical disabilities in Liskeard.

The boat was officially launched by Clare Milne, the granddaughter of Winnie the Pooh author AA Milne, at Siblyback Lake in June 2009.

Helen Winchurch from the Echo Centre says:

Clare Milne officially launches 'Clare'

"Reservoirs, lakes and ponds are often totally inaccessible to wheelchair users and people with mobility problems. This new boat will complement our existing boat 'Echo' in providing our users with independent access to the same wide range of waterborne activities enjoyed by able bodied people.

Clare, who has cerebral palsy, was invited to Cornwall to officially launch the new boat appropriately named the 'Clare'.

"AA Milne's daughter Lesley set up the Clare Milne Trust with the proceeds of a multi-million pound settlement between her late father's estate and the major Hollywood film studios," explains Helen Winchurch 

"The Trust does an immense amount to help charities working for the disabled in Devon and Cornwall, and is a loyal and generous supporter of the Echo Charity."

Echo Centre sailing day

The boat, which will be kept at the South West Lakes Trust Angling and Watersports Centre on Siblyback Lake, will enable disabled people and wheelchair users to get out and about on water under sail. 

The new boat will complement 'Echo', the Centre's existing Wheelyboat which is also kept at Siblyback Lake. Echo Centre users have free access to the boats but other people with disabilities living locally or visiting the area on holiday can also hire them from the Angling and Watersports Centre at Siblyback Lake. Hoists will be available to help people get on and off the boat.