We were delighted to be asked to the launch last weekend of Access the Dales, a charity which aims to make the natural beauty of the Yorkshire Dales accessible to all.
The charity is setting up wheelchair hubs across the Dales, and has a website packed with information about accessible walks and places to visit, stay, and eat, whilst in the area.
The launch day brought together representatives of the National Park, Access the Dales ambassadors, wheelchair company representatives, and organisations who work to make more places accessible to those with disabilities.
As founder Debbie North said on the day: "It's about working together, and joining the dots to make the countryside more accessible."
In January, Debbie described her day out on our Whinlatter Tramper as "stupendous" - so it was a joy to be able to return the favour, and join the Access the Dales team on a walk in the beautiful Dales hills.
The launch was the start of a week of activities - the first accessible festival in the Dales - which included stile-free walks, a chance to try out all-terrain wheelchairs, games of boccia, and accessible canoeing.
Within a few days, however, the festival came to the Lakes! Due to weather conditions on Semer Water, the canoe activity day planned near Hawes was relocated to the more sheltered water at the National Trust's lakeshore park at Fell Foot. Our fundraiser, Penny, and her daughter had booked the activity with Anyone Can, which organises inclusive outdoor adventures, including sailing and canoeing on Windermere. (You might spot Anyone Can's accessible boats out on the water when our Fell Foot Tramper is up and running!)
We're so proud to be part of the growing movement of charities and campaigners working to make our beautiful countryside accessible to all - and we congratulate Debbie and all her team of supporters on the launch of a great new initiative.
Here's to more adventures, all across the country!
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