Beach wheelchairs have "life-changing" impact say Lincolnshire charity

People visiting the Skegness coastline this summer will now have access to an improved fleet of beach wheelchairs.

Local charity Beach Ability are aiming to spread the word about their specialist chairs, and new hoist, which are free to hire from Ingoldmells beach.

We've been speaking to Head Volunteer Leanne Ellison, who's son Oliver is a wheelchair user.

"Oliver and I spent a lot of summers sat on the prom watching his siblings and our family on the beach," said Leanne.

"But this meant that Oliver can now go in a chair, go and get involved, go in the sea with his little brother or help build the sandcastles.

"So having that correct support and having that chair to be able to actually get involved, rather than just sitting on the side-lines and watching, is what we're all about."

Beach Ability have been celebrating their new addition - a hoist.

This means users are now able to be lifted from their wheelchairs into the beach ones.

"I can't put into words how much difference this is going to make," said Leanne.

"In the past I have had to turn users away because they're not able to transfer from one chair to another.

"So we've very kindly been donated a hoist by Holistic Thinking Holidays, who have a couple of holiday homes nearby in Chapel St, Leonards and in Skegness."

"We've had everything from elderly people who'd given up all hope of being able to go on the beach again that can now go on with their grandkids," said Leanne.

"To young people who have never been on the beach before, like Oliver, have sat on the side-lines.

"We've even had people who used to swim in the sea and have not been able to since having accidents.

"I think it is life-changing and for me sometimes it is concentrating on the little things that can be life-changing.

"I feel like doing our little bit is contributing to the big things."

To book a chair message Leanne on 07971 964706 or to find out more information visit Beach Ability's website.