A CHARITY that provides free boat trips for disabled people is fundraising for new boat.

The Friends of Dolphin is a charity set up in 1980 to take people with disabilities on boat trips around Poole Harbour.

The boat called ‘Dolphin’ is the only boat in Poole that is accessible to people in wheelchairs.

Vice-chair of trustees for the charity, Robert Irwin, said: “The original reason for Dolphin was because those disabled in wheelchairs were not able to enjoy a trip out around Poole Harbour.

“We take disabled people of all ages and disabilities together with their carers on trips either around the harbour or, depending on the tide, up the river from Wareham.

“Our operating season annually is between May 1 and September 30.

"All trips are totally free and all money raised, by fundraising and donation, goes directly towards the running and upkeep of Dolphin.”

To date, the Friends of the Dolphin have taken almost 60,000 disabled with their carers out to sea.

In 2017 the charity was awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service and had three exercises with the Poole RNLI.

Dolphin is a 10 meter catamaran built by Cheetah Marine on the Isle of Wight to special specifications. She is now nearly 20 years old and “showing her age”.

Robert said: “The trustees took the decision in October 2023 to purchase a new Dolphin, with fundraising over the next two years to raise in the region of £150,000.”

Any funds raised in the coming years will be matched by funds that the charity has already managed to raise.

The charity is run by trustees with an operating committee to oversee the day to day running of the boat. Everyone who is involved in the charity is an unpaid volunteer.

Robert added: “We have put in place an appeal and are looking for any help that could come our way, not only for funds but also in fundraising.”

The Friends of Dolphin anticipate looking at a new boat coming into service for 2026 / 2027.