11:25, 23 June 2021
Words by Smiley Team, Staff Writer, London
A boat club who help people in their community to enjoy safe and affordable watersports are celebrating their 50th birthday - and fundraising to secure their next 50 years on the water.
Islington Boat Club is a grassroots charity based in central London, and runs a variety of watersports projects and activities from their base on the Regents Canal in Islington, north London.
Their youth club offers young people aged nine to 19 the chance to learn new skills, make friends and enjoy outdoor activities including kayaking, canoeing and powerboating, while their Upper Deckers club is for people over 50 who would like to have fun, keep active and meet new friends while trying activities like narrow boating.
The club, who were founded in 1970, have recently launched their Mission 50 campaign, a fundraising drive to secure £50,000 over the course of five months in order to secure their future for the next 50 years.
Inge Diamond is a boat club volunteer and member of the Upper Deckers group. She said: “Islington boat club is a great place in London to enjoy water sports and try out different boats and activities at an affordable price.
“I love coming every Tuesday to the Upper Deckers session, meeting new people and seeing them gain confidence on the water. We have so much fun as we attempt to do and master some things that we thought to be impossible.”
Current fundraising activities include hiring out the club's pedalos at weekends and selling homemade cakes from their narrowboat, Peggotty Tom.
To donate, or to find out more about Islington Boat Club visit their website or follow them on Twitter.
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