Water Wing
St John Ambulance Water Wing exists to
provide free of charge trips for people with
disadvantaged backgrounds or anyone with disabilities of any kind,
including those confined to wheelchairs. The pleasure of cruising
on the River Trent can be therapeutic, helping patients to
relax and to enjoy the scenery.
Comments from our passengers include
"An excellent experience for children with severe
learning difficulties – lots of sensory experiences!"
and "Brilliant! Good scenery. We’ve forgotten all of
our troubles – peaceful".
Newark Crusader
The 60ft vessel
accommodates up to 12 passengers, plus crew, and features a heated
cabin, kitchen area, disabled toilet and a large open foredeck for
fine weather cruising. Based at Farndon, it is ideal for
groups from the North and East of the county.
A passenger on the Newark boat last year said
"Everyone has thoroughly enjoyed the trip
and some are even now suggesting re-booking for next year – which
proves you’ve got it right!"
Trips run from Monday to Friday, May to
September, on a daily basis. For further information regarding the
Newark Crusader, please contact 01636 636877 (24 hour answer
phone).
Nottingham Crusader
Demand from the local community was
such that, in 1997, fundraising began for a second Crusader boat.
The new Nottingham Crusader is capable of carrying up to 22
passengers. The boat features a large heated interior with TV /
video, kitchen / service area, large foredeck and disabled toilet
facilities.
"A wonderful day - the first of our trips on the Crusader.
Words can’t say how absolutely brilliant everything
was. What a lovely gentleman the skipper is!" - a quote
from one of the passengers on the Nottingham Crusader.
Moored at Colwick Marina, Nottingham Crusader carries groups
from the City, as well as the South and West of the county. The
boat runs two trips a day, five to seven days a
week, from May to September. For further information regarding the
Nottingham Crusader, please contact 07747 567528.
Volunteers needed
St John Ambulance Water Wing provides river cruises along the
Trent for the elderly and disabled. We are looking for volunteer
crew members for next season. You do not necessarily need
to know about boats. Crew training takes place just before
the start of the season in May or alternatively you can train
alongside an experienced crew member on a trip.
If you have any spare time from Monday to Friday, morning or
afternoon or all day and would like to help us in our very
rewarding work providing care in the community, please
contact Barry Gatford, Nottingham Boat Skipper on 07778 002892 for
more information