Accessible Angling for People with Disabilities
Promoter:
Rinn-Shannon & District Angling Club
Support Provided:
LEADER Tourism Funding
Grant Awarded:
€20,392.13
Percentage:
75%
This project was delivered by Rinn-Shannon & District Angling Club in partnership with Leitrim Association of People with Disabilities (LAPWD). Rinn-Shannon Angling Club was established in 2002 and has continued to grow and develop since then. The club’s aim is to promote fishing, and wildlife preservation, and to develop angling amenities. Since its inception the club has hosted numerous events from fishing matches for local children, participated in the Leitrim County Council’s Adopt a Road Scheme to organising the Chernobyl Kids Boating and BBQ day out annually. LAPWD was established in 1996 and promotes the philosophy of independent living and full participation in society for all its members. Rinn-Shannon Angling Club joined forces with LAPWD to provide the first ‘wheelyboat’ for people with physical disabilities in County Leitrim.
The club received LEADER funding to purchase a ‘wheelyboat’ to provide people with disabilities safe access to the lakes for fishing, observing wildlife and nature, for photography, promoting tourism and supporting independent living for those with disabilities. The project provides a resource to allow access to waters by disabled people or elderly people with mobility difficulties thus opening up other activity avenues to visitors to the area. The provision of a ‘wheelyboat’ enabled the club to host angling competitions for those with a disability and encourages people to partake in water based activities.