30th January 2014
Awarded a total of £6,747 since 2009.
Based on the Watchtree Nature Reserve at Great Orton, Watchtree Wheelers provides opportunities for disabled people to use a range of specially adapted cycles and a purpose built track. It also specialises in providing leadership and support for groups of cyclists with learning and physical difficulties.
Funding was awarded to purchase 15 new mountain bikes.
Diana Matthews, The High Sheriff of Cumbria said “Watchtree Wheelers provide a safe, friendly and enabling environment for disabled people to explore nature and the countryside. The bikes are varied and there are a number of wonderful stories associated with people with varying disabilities (blindness, severe learning difficulties, severe physical and Downs) who have all exceeded their own and their carer’s expectations in terms of what they’ve been able to achieve. The benefits in terms of confidence and self-worth must be tremendous. People are using the site and service on a regular basis and it was great to see a girl riding side by side with her carer having a lovely time.”