Hanningfield disability sailing club makes £8k appeal after theft

Hanningfield Sailability Club is dedicated to getting people with disabilities on the water at Hanningfield Reservoir

A safety boat which protects sailors who are disabled has been taken off the water after its outboard motor was stolen.

Hanningfield Sailability Project said its members could not sail next year unless a replacement was funded.

The club, based at Hanningfield Reservoir near Billericay in Essex, says it is the only sailability project in the county.

It has appealed for help to raise £8,000 to replace the stolen part.

The safety boat is operated by a member of the support crew and is fitted with an engine rather than sails so it can reach any emergencies at speed.

Wilson Kennedy, from the club, said its insurer declined a claim due to a technicality, meaning it would have to find the money itself.

He said the boat was the most important in the project's fleet and the club was not allowed to operate without it.

The sailability club kits its boats out with seats and an accessible control system

"We have got to be able to get our boat back on the water in order to support our sailors," Mr Kennedy told the BBC Essex Sport Extra programme.

The project was founded in 2013 and operates between April and August. It kits out boats with seats and an accessible control system.

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Francesca Goodwin, who is quadriplegic, said it gave her "fantastic" opportunities.

"Getting out of my wheelchair and being able to sail in an accessible boat was a wonderful experience for me," she said.

"Learning to sail and being on the water is one of the most relaxing and peaceful feelings, I love it."

An Essex Police spokesman said the force received a report of the outboard motor being stolen between 20:15 GMT on 8 July and 07:10 the next day. It appealed for anyone with information to get in contact.