Hundreds of people discovered the River Thames Boat Project, a registered charity, at their recent Open Day.  

Visitors were delighted to realize that the Thames Venturer, a 29 meter Dutch Barge built in 1908 can provide full access for those with limited mobility and wheelchairs via a special gangway and lift.  

Below deck they viewed the 12 berths, 2 disabled showers and toilets, a full kitchen galley and a massive saloon area!  

Homemade cakes were the most popular thing of the day, with people sitting under the sun canopy on deck or in the comfortable wheelhouse, watching the children playing Splat the Ship’s Rat and hook a duck, whilst talking to the volunteer crew about the charities activities.

The charity was especially proud to welcome on board Cllr Julie Pickering, Mayor of Kingston, Baroness Campbell of Surbiton DBE (Patron), and President of the Kingston Rotary Club Phillip Holt to launch the sale of their first ever colouring book for children.

The River Thames Boat Project was also the chosen charity for the Kingston Rotary’s Dragon Boat Races. 

The River Thames Boat Project runs bespoke therapeutic cruises and educational activities for the local community, making the River Thames Accessible for those who have mobility and other issues.  

70 volunteers, trained in dementia awareness and disability awareness help the charity which specialises in taking the elderly, or disabled, vision impaired, ex-servicemen and those with medical, special needs and mental health conditions.

Many local groups cannot afford a therapeutic cruise, so if you, or your organisation would be interested in sponsoring or fundraising for a cruise to help a local group, please do get in touch. 020 8940 3509 info@thamesboatproject.org www.thamesboatproject.org

Article supplied by Sonja Freebody