Disabled youngsters are expected to dock on the Isle of Dogs tomorrow (Wed) in time for the Paralympics after sailing a ship from Germany.
They arrive on the STS Tenacious, a modern British wooden tall ship, designed to be operated by both disabled and able-bodied people.
While the world’s spotlight falls on the Paralympic athletes, the group have stretched their own boundaries by sailing from Emden, in northwest Germany to West India Dock.
The crew is made up of ten disabled and ten able-bodied learning about team-work.
The project is aimed at inspiring inclusion in sport and motivating sailing clubs to include disabled people.
The project’s Dieter Keuther said: “We chose Tenacious because on a tall ship like this there is so much to learn about teamwork and how everyone can take part regardless of their physical ability.”
Special features on board Tenacious include wheelchair lifts between deck levels and a talking compass for the visually impaired.
Crew members will attend various events at the Paralympic Games. The project will be filmed for German television.
No other boats are expected to arrive for the Paralympics, according to the Canal and River Trust overseeing the waterway.
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