Anyone near Chelsea harbour want to treat a terminal 3yr old who loves boats?

[steve yates]

My partner has been involved in helping the mother of a bright vivacious 3 yr old that has spent much of her life in hospital, suffering from mitochondrial disease,( basically a cellular disease where the cells fail to produce enough energy, leading to potential failure of the internal organs) She is 4 in January, but not generally expected to live to see it.

She loves boats and has always wanted to go on one. If I had managed to get jojo round to Essex from Cumbria, I was going to run her up the Thames so she could come aboard for a short trip.

She has just got out of hospital, and hopefully should be ok for 2 or 3 weeks. If anyone with a boat anywhere nearby would be willing to give up some time to take her aboard and for a short sail, they would make a little girls dream come true and brighten up a very short, hard life.

 

[rubberduck]

Would love to but I am currently recovering myself & in the process of px ing for a bigger boat so can't. If it would help would happily chuck some money in for a Thames experience ride or similar.

 

[Thallac]

Would love to help out, have emailed you. I have an 1983 Mitchell SeaWarrior so not the most swanky of boats, but someone may have something plusher
Tim

 

[comCHSC]

Is Southampton close enough? If so PM me.

 

[steve yates]

Well, mine is a 1974 westerly longbow, so everything is sw skier than that thanks guys.

 

[dash300]

Would love to help out, have emailed you. I have an 1983 Mitchell SeaWarrior so not the most swanky of boats, but someone may have something plusher
Tim

It's not about the boat it's about being on the water and the view from the boat. Very generous of you, I hope it comes off.

 

[No Regrets]

Our boat is at Bray, but if you could get there I would be delighted to assist, and I'm sure many more of our members would too.

 

[oldgit]

RCC organise every year a short trip out up the river and tea and buns afterward in the clubhouse for a local organisation which runs a weekly swimming club.
We have some very special children and their chums/parents /hangers on aboard for a very enjoyable and rewarding day out for all concerned.
Wonder if any other clubs do similar events.?
OG.

 

[thames cruiser]

Our boat is at Bray, but if you could get there I would be delighted to assist, and I'm sure many more of our members would too.

+1 to help from Bray.
The RCC post is a good one too, and perhaps something BCC could consider in th future.

 

[oldgit]

For those whos boating has become a little jaded.

You and I can trudge up our particular bit of a watery well warn path with a studied lack of distinterest.

However, do that same trip with a new pair of young interested eyes next to you and things change.
To most nippers( and their carers) the nearest most will get to boating is to stand on the river bank at Runnymede watch an obviously minted bunch of millionaires cruise past in their mega expensive gin palaces .
Some folks count ourselves very fortunate in lifes lottery ( if not financially ) and the opportunity to to be able to enjoy our luck with others because of our hobby, could not be missed.
For one day a year we get involved with the Valiant Swimming Club an organisation which provides swimming lessons and bit of break for mums and dads who face extra challenges with their children.
The club also hosts their annual prize giving in the clubhouse, I defy anybody not to be moved at this event.
All it takes is a phone call.

 

[steve yates]

Thanks all, I have passed on your messages etc to Jo, as I am back up north working for a while. She will be in touch with Tim, as they happen to live by one of the piers he can get to. Thanks again all, hopefully it will work out and she will have a fab experience.

 

[Old Crusty]

For those whos boating has become a little jaded.

You and I can trudge up our particular bit of a watery well warn path with a studied lack of distinterest.

However, do that same trip with a new pair of young interested eyes next to you and things change.
To most nippers( and their carers) the nearest most will get to boating is to stand on the river bank at Runnymede watch an obviously minted bunch of millionaires cruise past in their mega expensive gin palaces .
Some folks count ourselves very fortunate in lifes lottery ( if not financially ) and the opportunity to to be able to enjoy our luck with others because of our hobby, could not be missed.
For one day a year we get involved with the Valiant Swimming Club an organisation which provides swimming lessons and bit of break for mums and dads who face extra challenges with their children.
The club also hosts their annual prize giving in the clubhouse, I defy anybody not to be moved at this event.
All it takes is a phone call.

The Rivertime Boat Trust (www.rivertimeboattrust.org.uk) exists for this purpose, to take disabled and disadvantaged children and adults out on the Thames. It is quite astonishing to see how being afloat can calm young and old with the most severe problems. If the family can get to Henley, a trip can be arranged, FOC of course.