Knoticat continues to set sail from Poole offering free trips for the disabled thanks to £14,000 funding

Knoticat, a catamaran owned and operated by the Sports Forum for the Disabled for the past 16 years and that has been running for 45 years has received funding of more than £14,000 for essential repairs. Her engine was replaced and repairs to the boat’s saloon and mast have been carried out. New lifejackets were also purchased for passengers to wear when aboard the vessel.

The boat is used to give disabled members of the community and their carers the opportunity to experience sailing from Poole Harbour, out to Studland and along the Jurassic Coast. Knoticat sails (weather permitting) every weekday from April to September each year, and is free of charge for its disabled members.

Richard Monaghan, chairman and fundraiser of Sports Forum for the Disabled, said: ‘‘Without the continuous help of Talbot Village Trust over the 16 years we have been operating, we would not have had the funds required to keep Knoticat running and give thousands of our disabled members the experience of going offshore sailing.

‘‘Everyone who works on the boat is a volunteer and our sailing trips are only made possible by the generosity of those who support us with donations. It is important to us that all money received goes towards keeping Knoticat on the water for our members to enjoy.’’

Russell Lucas Rowe, Trustee, added: ‘‘It is so fantastic to see all the members of Sports Forum for the Disabled continuing to experience the joys of sailing around our beautiful coastline. We are happy to have been given the chance to continue to help this unique cause.’’

Talbot Village Trust meets biannually, and will be accepting applications for funding from both previous and new applicants in the area before the Trustees meet again in November. For more information, go to Talbotvillagetrust.org.