Nature is now even more accessible at a local nature reserve after RSPB South Lincolnshire local group raised £3840, including match funding from the Aviva Save our Wild Isles Community Fund, for two new mobility scooters at RSPB Frampton Marsh.
The RSPB local group crowdfunded to purchase a mobility scooter from Sunshine Mobility Scooters in Boston. An existing mobility scooter which had been donated by RSPB Bempton Cliffs was also repaired to full working order.
Sunshine Mobility Scooters also kindly donated a wheelchair to the nature reserve.
All the mobility equipment is free to hire at the reserve which has two and half miles of evenly surfaced pathways among its six miles of trails. There are also several strategically placed benches along the pathways together with suitable viewpoints over the lagoons. The hides are also fully accessible with ramps and low wide windows, ensuring everyone has a great view. The visitor centre facilities are also mobility friendly with ramps, accessible toilets and wide doorway access.
Chris Andrews, visitor experience manager at RSPB Frampton Marsh, said: “The greenspace provided by the reserve is unrivalled in the area, so it’s important for us to provide as many opportunities as possible for people who may ordinarily have struggled to access nature to now do so. These scooters will allow many more people to fully explore the wildlife and landscapes at RSPB Frampton Marsh.”
There was an official event to celebrate the scooters and thank donors on Sunday 6 October.
Neil Oakman, of RSPB South Lincolnshire local group, said: “We are proud to have helped successfully crowd funded to raise money for a new mobility scooter and the refurbishment of a second. Frampton Marsh is a fabulous space and it’s great to know that the mobility scooters will allow many more people to enjoy being here. The South Lincolnshire Local Group has raised money for the RSPB and particularly our local reserves for many years. We will continue to raise money through our Wash Cruises and other crowd funding initiatives.”
Dino Rock a recent visitor to RSPB Frampton Marsh recently hired one of the mobility scooters and thanked the reserve saying: “I recently fractured my ankle which, as a very active person, has really set me back. Thanks to the mobility scooter rental I was able to enjoy a full day out on the reserve. The volunteer team were really welcoming, helping me to get set up on the scooter and check I was doing alright.
“Frampton is such a beautiful and special place. I am so grateful that the reserve is so accessible for people with limited mobility. My partner and I were able to enjoy it all together.”
A spokesperson for Sunshine Scooters continued: “It has been a pleasure working with RSPB Frampton Marsh to provide two mobility scooters for their visitors. Our company motto is to give back independence to those who need it most, and these scooters are doing just that—allowing people to access Frampton Marsh and explore areas they might not have been able to reach otherwise.
We plan to continue supporting RSPB Frampton Marsh by maintaining and servicing their mobility fleet for the foreseeable future.”
