North Somerset youngsters skipper canal barge

Youngsters with disabilities from North Somerset had the chance to skipper their own barge during a charity trip on the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal.

Action for Children joined forces with Willow Trust - a charity that makes canal trips possible by providing accessible boats for disabled people - to organise the trip.

The youngsters attend Action for Children's Avalon and North Somerset Professional projects, which both provide short breaks for children with disabilities. The transport was funded by FedEx and Fifer.

Patricia Chenoweth, family support worker at Action for children said: "The young people and their families found the boat trip calming and relaxing and were able to watch the world drift by.

The young people had the opportunity to steer the boat, which was one of the highlights of the trip, and had the chance to take part in activities and meet with other families and children. They will remember the trip for a long time."

Michelle Davis, who accompanied her son Kieran on the trip said:  "We had a fantastic trip, the whole family enjoyed it, especially Kieran as he doesn't usually get to see his friends in the summer holidays, so this was a great opportunity for him to meet up with them."