1. Impact Report 2014
Access to Jersey’s
maritime countryside
should be a right and not a
privilege for every member
of our community.
Contact
Wetwheels Jersey
c/o Orchid, 1st Floor
3 Mulcaster Street
St Helier Jersey C.I.
JE2 3NJ
Telephone: 07797 758338
Email: enquiries@wetwheels.je
/ WetwheelsJersey @WetwheelsJersey
: Member 413
www.wetwheels.je
Founding Partners
Patron: His Excellency General Sir John McColl KCB CBE DSO

2. Escorting HMS Iron Duke
WWJ was asked to escort Jersey’s affiliated warship as she
steamed past the south coast, firing a 15-gun salute before
heading off to the South Atlantic. Ten passengers including
four wheelchair users were treated to a low-level display by
the ship’s Lynx helicopter and a high-speed passage with
the Type 23 frigate.
Jersey Boat Show
Wetwheels Solent joined us for her third visit
and helped take hundreds of passengers to
sea in glorious conditions, including a trip to
Guernsey for Jersey Mencap clients.
Helping Tenacious
The tall ship specialises in giving disabled crew the seagoing
experience of a lifetime and so when she anchored off of the
Jersey coast for a five-day stopover, WWJ was the perfect
partner to ferry dignitaries and disabled crew to and from her.
Patron’s Trip to Sark
Nine disabled passengers from three
organisations accompanied our Patron to
Sark where they were treated to a horse
and carriage tour of the island, a tour of the
Seigneurie gardens and a wonderful lunch,
provided by the Sark community.
International Air Display
Eleven lucky passengers, including three wheelchair users,
enjoyed a sumptuous picnic on board whilst anchored in St
Aubin’s Bay to watch the annual Air Display where the Red
Arrows took centre stage.
Into The Future Some of our Best Events
2014 has been a wonderful first season for Wetwheels
Jersey. Having been commissioned in September 2013, we
started operations in earnest in April and have exceeded
our initial expectations in terms of passenger numbers
and diversity. Twenty eight charities and community
groups have enjoyed trips and we were kept busy nearly
every day between June and September. Feedback has
been unanimously positive and we aim to build on this
going forward – more organisations, more passengers
and more fun.
We believe it is everyone’s right to access our marine
environment and to experience the assault on the
senses you only get on the water; the wind, the spray,
the sights, the smells, the sounds and the taste of the
salt air. A founding principle for the Wetwheels concept
was the belief that time afloat enhances life in some
way. With many of our passengers reporting increases
in self-confidence, self-esteem and improved health and
well-being, one day, we believe doctors will be prescribing
a ride on Wetwheels instead of pills.
The Wetwheels budget incurs significant operating costs,
kept to a minimum thanks to the generosity of our many
volunteers. We rely upon donations and sponsorship in
order for us to continue with our existing activities along
with further capital investment to build new vessels. To
do this, we need your help. If you would like to join us
on our exciting jour ney and to enable us to continue our
work, please do contact us for details.
With many of our passengers
reporting increases in self-confidence,
self-esteem and improved health
and well-being, one day, we believe
doctors will be prescribing a ride on
Wetwheels instead of pills.
Geoff Holt MBE DL
Comments from our
Passengers
Every trip we have been on has been emotional, funny, wet and
all very enjoyable. We love Wetwheels and a big thank you to all
the skippers.
Jersey Mencap
I had the pleasure of taking three children on the boat who access
Les Amis Children’s respite service last Friday. They all had an
amazing time, caught some mackerel which we had for dinner!
Thanks again to you all, we will be using your service again for sure.
Maison Allo Children’s Respite Service
We had a brilliant morning out with Matt on the Wetwheels catamaran
and it was the highlight of my mini holiday. I felt very lucky to have
the opportunity of going on such a lovely boat along the Jersey
coast. The weather was kind to us and we were able to appreciate
the Jersey coastal scenery and enjoy the sea air.
Claire, wheelchair user, visiting from the UK
A Day at Wetwheels
Legs that worked was so much fun
I’d spin, hop and run
Jumping, skipping, rolling around
Laughing hard I’d fall to the ground
That’s now a dream, laying in bed
Happy days spinning round my head
Remembering as things used to be
Before being taken away by DMD
Life’s different in my wheelchair
I’m angry, sad, life’s so unfair
On the sidelines, that’s how it feels
No-one plays with me in my wheels
I long to feel, happy and free
Soaring like a bird, over the sea
Skimming waves, bouncing around
Jumping up and down
Laughing loud, sea splashing my face
I’m winning a race!
Sun kissed, happy, I’ll feel the breeze
Rustling my hair, tickling my knees!
Ending the day snuggled in bed,
Magical feelings racing round my head
I’ll remember what Wetwheels gave to me
Mason Fernley, as he was meant to be...
A poem written by 11-year-old Mason Fernley following his day
on Wetwheels. Mason suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
(DMD), a degenerative muscle wasting disease.