Help keep canal boat trust afloat

Tameside's Canal Boat Trust is asking the public to help keep it afloat.

Established in 1991, the Trust is a disability and wellbeing charity that has been operating boat trips from Ashton’s Portland Basin for 30 years. 

Their focus is on providing the trips for disadvantaged community groups, but they are also open to schools, private parties and the public.

‘Still Waters’ is the name of their 72ft, 51-seat passenger narrow boat, which has weighed anchor since March 2020.

Now, as lockdown eases, there’s hope for financial recovery, but a slow return to business-as-usual means the Trust is struggling to cover the costs of mandatory waterway fees, including insurance, licensing and safety inspections.

The Trust received no financial support from the government during the pandemic despite being a pillar of the community.

Mark Nield, Chair of Tameside’s Canal Boat Trust, explained: “Our trips will be important post Covid-19, for those who are experiencing or have experienced social isolation or exclusion.

“These trips give a much-needed well-being boost and are crucial to the groups that we support, and of course, these are trips being subsidised by our Public Boat Trips for family groups enjoying a day out and around Portland Basin, visiting the Museum or just having fun at the canal.”

The charity hopes to re-open at the end of April but needs funds to be able to achieve their goal.

To donate or get more information, go to: tamesidecanalboat.wordpress.com/ 

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