The Heulwen (Welsh for sunshine) Trust has, to date, provided more than 45,000 people with disabilities with free trips on the canal on their two boats Heulwen 1 and 2. The chairman is David Corfield.
But Heulwen 1 is now more than 30 years old and is reaching the end of the road – or canal as the case may be!

Work on the new boat – which has yet to be named – started last autumn and it is hoped that it will be ready for the Trust's annual Country and Western Music Festival in July.

The boat is being built by Maesbury Marine Services at Morton, Oswestry.

It is likely to cost around £80,000 in total and is being financed by a "substantial legacy" left by former vice-chair of the Heulwen Trust, Kathleen Silver.

That is the thing about the Trust, there is no financial gain for members but they volunteer their time and money because they feel so passionately about what they do.

Heulwen 1 was the first known narrow boat in the world to be built solely for use by children with disabilities.

Dennis Duggan, vice-chairman of the Heulwen Trust, said: "Originally the trust only gave free trips to the disabled but we have moved on and we want to maximise use of the boats.

"We now provide trips for nurseries, playgroups, WIs, Rotary Clubs and Scouts.

"We can't do it for nothing but we charge as little as possible to cover our costs and comply with Charity Commission rules."

The boats are specifically designed for use by those with mobility problems, with one having ramps and the other a hydraulic lift. There is no charge for disabled and/or elderly groups.

There are also fully-equipped kitchens and toilet facilities and the new boat will have "every modern convenience" according to Mr Duggan.

The two existing boats made over 300 trips last year carrying approximately 2,500 passengers with disabilities – but this is at a cost of about £25,000 a year – all of which must be raised by the Trust.

The charity's main source of funding is its annual Country and Western Music Festival, held in July at Powis Castle Showground, Welshpool.
The festival in 2008 will be the 21st year running that the charity has put on the event.

Mr Duggan said: "A lot of people go to the festival purely for the music without knowing what it is all for – that is fine but we want to spread the message of what we do.

"Last year was a disappointing year for us with the weather.
"The income went down with us only getting about a quarter. We make about £23,000 normally and last year only made £5,000."

This year's festival takes place on Sunday, July 20, and features artists such as Hank Muldoon & The Hangovers and the Steve Raymond Band. Admission costs £7 for adults, £5 for OAPs and £1 for under 16s.
It is hoped that there may be a guest appearance of the new Heulwen boat at the festival this year.

l If anybody is interested in booking a boat trip please contact Mrs Nancy Millington, the Booking Secretary, on 01938 552563. Priority will be given to disabled visitors.