Heart-Warming Donation: St Austell Brewery Gifts Surf Wheelchair to Bude Charity

St Austell Brewery has generously donated an adaptive surf wheelchair to AdSurf, a local surf charity in Bude that provides accessible surf lessons and experiences for people with disabilities, neurodiversities, and mental health conditions. The newly acquired equipment, a Mobi-Chair, is specially designed to float in the water, allowing individuals with limited mobility to enjoy the Cornish waves.

AdSurf: A Growing Demand

AdSurf, established in 2022, has quickly become a vital resource for the local community, offering a safe and inclusive environment for individuals who might otherwise struggle to access the sea. In June 2023, the charity launched its first sessions, which were met with overwhelming demand. Last year, AdSurf hosted 98 sessions and had around 50 participants. With the help of the new surf wheelchair, they anticipate being able to reach even more people this year.

Gill Cox, a trustee of the charity and mother to AdSurf’s surf lead, Cyril, expressed her deep appreciation for the donation. “Some people who have come down to the sea have previously not been able to access it due to certain disabilities, but this means we can now offer those experiences for people. It’s amazing. I’m choked up that we’ve got this now. It’s what we wanted and more.”

A Life-Changing Experience for Participants

AdSurf’s lessons, which are free to unfunded participants, take place on Summerleaze Beach in North Cornwall. Among the many who have benefited from the charity is 15-year-old Logan, who was a wheelchair user just a year ago. Logan has been participating in surf classes with AdSurf and was the first to test the new Mobi-Chair.

Reflecting on his experience, Logan said, “It was good, nice and comfortable and felt safe. Surfing gives me freedom. It’s the one time you get to feel free, and your mind is clear.”

Logan’s mother, Kelly, who has been actively involved with AdSurf, shared the impact the charity has had on their lives. “Through times where just getting out and about is difficult, something like AdSurf gets Logan out and doing things an average person can access. It makes life so much easier, so much more fun.”

Support from St Austell Brewery

Piers Thompson, St Austell Brewery’s external relations director, highlighted the importance of supporting initiatives like AdSurf, saying, “It’s incredible causes like AdSurf which enhance the lives of people in the South West and beyond with their work, and that’s why we were delighted to be able to support them as a fellow charitable cause.”

He also encouraged other charities or individuals in need of financial support in the South West to reach out to the St Austell Charitable Trust for assistance with funding.

Learn More

For more information about AdSurf and the work they do, visit their website at AdSurf. To learn more about the St Austell Charitable Trust and their efforts to support local communities, visit St Austell Brewery’s Charitable Trust.