The London Taxidrivers’ Fund for Underprivileged Children have donated an amount in excess of £11,000 to The Ahoy Centre, Borthwick Street, Deptford, SE8 to enable them to have a specially equipped boat built for disabled young people and on the morning of Wednesday 12th April, 2006 the official launch took place at The Ahoy Centre, which is based on the River Thames at Deptford.

The Centre, a sailing and boating charity, particularly focuses on the young, disadvantaged and those with disabilities, and their priority is to include them in their programmes, as learning how to sail and becoming part of a club can help build self-esteem and confidence in these children. Sailing has not always been available to those who have disabilities or do not have the money to join clubs or suffer other social barriers.

The Fund’s Hon.Chairman David Lessman and several committee members attended the launch and Mandy Corcoran, Development Manager at the Centre thanked them most sincerely, saying how much pleasure this will give the children. 

Also in attendance was Councillor Pauline Morrison, Chair of Social Inclusion Select Committee of Lewisham Council, who praised the work that the charity does.  This specially built boat will enable children with even the most severe physical disabilities to sail and as we left it was great to see the official logo of the London Taxidrivers’ Fund for Underprivileged Children flying high on the mast, with some children in the boat having fun.

The Hon. President, Hon. Chairman and committee of the London Taxidrivers’ Fund for Underprivileged Children are thrilled and delighted that we have once again been able to help put some fun in the lives of underprivileged children.

Raymond Levy
Press Officer