Launch of the Beach Wheelchairs in St Andrews
Making St Andrews Beaches accessible to all
Official Launch of St Andrews Beach Wheelchairs
• Official launch takes place on Sunday 3rd June 2018
• Annual West Sands “Chariots of Fire Beach Race” celebrating the launch of new Beach Wheelchairs in St Andrews
A joint initiative between the St Andrews Local Tourism Association (Tourism St Andrews) and local charity The Hamish McHamish Foundation has secured fundraising support and donations over the start of 2018 to purchase 4 Beach Wheelchairs for St Andrews. Local residents and visitors to the town will be able to book the Beach Wheelchairs in advance of their planned visit by calling a centralised telephone number or by using an online booking system via the Hamish McHamish Foundation website.
The fundraising committee had a clear vision that they wanted everyone to be able enjoy the beautiful beaches in St Andrews and have access to enjoy a day out with family and friends, irrelevant of mobility challenges, and ensure that St Andrews is a world-class destination for all to have access to experience. The specialised wheelchairs not only enable beach access, but are also able to cover golf course terrain.
The Official Launch of the St Andrews Beach Wheelchairs takes place at the annual Chariots of Fire Beach Race this Sunday 3rd June 2018 commencing at 11am at the West Sands. Local resident Kitty Walker, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, has been asked by the beach race organisers to officially start the race on Sunday and fire the start gun.
Debbie MacCallum (a trustee of The Hamish McHamish Foundation and the current Chair of Tourism St Andrews) said: “The fundraising support and donations from individuals, organisations, local and national businesses has been overwhelming and we would like to thank everyone for their efforts in making this initiative come to fruition. Many families cannot offer their family members an inclusive day out in St Andrews due to mobility challenges. Enjoying our beaches is something that so many of us take for granted. Everyone has been passionate in their efforts to help with fundraising. International students at St Andrews University ran a number of imaginative fundraising projects to support us as did local business owners. Kingdom FM and St Andrews Links Trust have given us wonderful support too. The community has really pulled together to make this happen in time for the summer season ahead”.
Ewing Forrester, Chairman of The Trustees of the Kinburn (St Andrews) said: “The Kinburn (St Andrews) Charitable Trust is delighted to support this very worthwhile project which will enable wheelchair users to enjoy and facilitate the West Sands in St Andrews in the same manner as others do.”
Douglas Kinnear of Thorntons Law said: “Thorntons are delighted to contribute to the Beach Wheelchair project which will allow everyone access to enjoy the beautiful beaches in St Andrews. As a business, we are committed to supporting our local communities wherever possible. Our congratulations go to everyone involved in the project.”
The Official Launch on Sunday will include the unveiling of the newly purchased 4 Beach Wheelchairs which will be able to be used by children and adults. The 4 wheelchairs will be used during the celebrations on the West Sands at the launch on Sunday and will also be taken across the golf course to the Old Course Hotel. The Hamish McHamish Foundation will have a gazebo on the day where merchandising will be sold as part of the ongoing fundraising activities and Kingdom FM’s mascot will also be there as part of the launch celebrations. PAMIS Pamiloo (the Scottish mobile changing places toilet) will also be in attendance.