Rivertime boat for disabled prepares to launch

A custom-build boat designed for disabled children is soon to be afloat on the Thames.

Trustees of the Rivertime Boat Trust are planning to launch the 'Rivertime' next month, which will provide excursions on the Middle Thames between Windsor and Oxford.

The 42-foot boat was the brainchild of retired Cookham couple, Simon and Pat Davis who have lived their life on the river and wanted to give something back to others.
They set up a trust and began raising the thousands of pounds needed to bring their project to fruition.

Mr Davis said: "We have reached this exciting stage due to the generosity of all our donors. 140 donations have been received ranging from £10 to £15,000. 
"We are really grateful to them all for helping us to make our dream into a reality."

Lucy Herbert has been appointed to take charge of the boat as the senior skipper.
She is the third generation of her family to work on the Thames and trustee Jonathan Hobbs is thrilled to have her on board.

He said: "She is a highly experienced skipper and boatmaster who has been with the Environment Agency for many years.  I am sure that she and ‘Rivertime’ will form an excellent partnership and bring great happiness to the many disabled and disadvantaged children and adults  who will be benefitting from their boating experience."

The boat is being built by Alpha Craft of Norfolk’s experts, Dick Darkin and Mike Whitlock.
It will be tested in Norfolk at the end of May and will be craned into the Thames at Bushnells Boatyard early next month. 

They hope to have the Rivertime operational from Monday, June 9 at its permanent base at the River and Rowing Museum at Henley. 
Chief executive of the museum, Paul Mainds, has kindly agreed to the museum taking all bookings for the Rivertime.

To book the boat, call 01491 415 605 or email bookings@rrm.co.uk.