STAFF DONATIONS WILL HELP MUIR’S CHOSEN CHARITY CONTINUE CANAL TRIPS FOR DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE
DONATIONS made by Muir staff will help a charity remain afloat and keep benefiting disadvantaged people after raising more than £1,170.
The Wooden Canal Boat Society was chosen by Muir to be its Charity of the Year, with staff raising money through a series of fundraising events staged throughout 2017-18.
Members of Muir’s ‘TAG’ staff association have now presented the group’s hard-working volunteers with a cheque for £1,171.78 after climbing aboard to help reduce social isolation among people with mental health difficulties.
The Wooden Canal Boat Society’s co-founder, Chris Lea (pictured below) said: “The money will go towards helping people who can benefit from the ‘well-being’ boat by providing trips.
“It has a profound impact on people and they really benefit from it. It has even surprised me how well it works.
“The extra funding gives us more opportunity to do what the boat was intended for.
“We are very grateful for the money Muir Group Housing Association has raised.”
Based in Ashton-Under-Lyne in Manchester, the Society’s boats operate on various waterways in the country.
T
rips run by the charity offer respite for disadvantaged people and those suffering poor mental health, while also preserving traditional boat building skills and the history surrounding their operation.
Muir TAG Team Chairman, Wayne Pearson said: “Muir is very pleased to donate this money to The Wooden Canal Boat Society who do a fantastic amount of good work.
“We hope this will go some way to helping them provide such a unique opportunity for people.”
Wayne (pictured left), along with Muir TAG Team colleague, Sophie Whittingham, both took time out from the office to visit the Society at its Ashton-Under-Lyme HQ, and learn a little more about the good work it does.
Sophie (below) said: “It was fantastic to see the work they have done to restore the boat, as well as understand the reasons behind it.
“We wish the society lots of luck in the future and everyone at Muir is happy to have made some contribution to their efforts.”
Under its motto of creating ‘new lives from old boats’, the society engages the community in a variety of activities such as boat recycling trips, running a charity shop, boat restoration, and repairs and maintenance.
To learn more about The Wooden Canal Boat Society, including volunteering opportunities, restoration projects and the good work done to counter social isolation and respite need, visit the charity’s website at www.wcbs.org.uk
