Windsor Yacht Club Raises Over £11,500 for River Thames Boat Project 

On Monday 1st September, we had the privilege of inviting members of Windsor Yacht Club for a very special occasion. After choosing us as their Charity of the Year, the club hosted a Charity Auction that raised an incredible £11,501 (including Gift Aid) in support of our mission to make the River Thames accessible to all. 

At our celebration and presentation ceremony earlier this month, Commodore Andrew Downing, his wife Tina, and members of the Yacht Club committee presented our staff, trustees, and representative volunteers with a giant cheque for £10,878.71 raised. The moment was filled with warmth, gratitude, and a shared recognition of how powerful community support can be. 

A Partnership with Purpose 

The River Thames Boat Project has been running since 1988, offering therapeutic cruises and educational trips to people who might otherwise be excluded from enjoying the river. Our two fully accessible boats welcome over 3,500 people each year, including: 

Older adults and care home residents 

People living with dementia or disabilities 

Carers and veterans 

Children and young people through our hands-on learning programmes 

For many, a day out on the River Thames is more than a trip — it’s a lifeline. A chance to breathe fresh air, connect with nature, and share laughter and stillness with others. As one partner told us: 

“Words can’t describe how important these cruises are for our passengers.” 

By choosing us as their Charity of the Year, Windsor Yacht Club has made it possible for hundreds more people to experience this joy. 

A Day of Generosity 

The fundraising auction itself was a true reflection of the club’s generosity and community spirit. Every hand raised, every bid placed, helped ensure that we can continue delivering over 80 therapeutic cruises a year — a transformative impact for a small charity like ours. 

As our Chair of Trustees, Dennis van Wonderen, expressed: 

“It’s hard to put into words how much this means. Windsor Yacht Club hasn’t just given us funding — they’ve given people the chance to feel free again, to connect again, to breathe again. It’s a gift beyond measure.” 

Celebrating Together on the Thames 

The presentation event was a wonderful opportunity to say thank you face-to-face. Seeing the cheque handed over by Commodore Andrew Downing, alongside Tina and the Yacht Club committee, was more than a symbolic moment. It was a reminder of what happens when communities rally behind causes that change lives. 

Our staff team, volunteers, and trustees were humbled to be celebrated not only as a charity but as partners in a shared vision: to make the River Thames a place of inclusion, wellbeing, and joy. 

More Than Just Funding 

The money raised will support fuel, equipment, and the skilled crews who make every cruise safe and welcoming. But just as importantly, it provides something less tangible but deeply meaningful — hope, connection, and freedom for those who need it most. 

Whether you are an older adult seeing the river for the first time in years, a child learning about ecosystems up close, or a carer finally finding space to breathe, the gift of time on the river is priceless. And thanks to Windsor Yacht Club, more people will experience that gift this year. 

Our Thanks 

To everyone at Windsor Yacht Club — from those who organised the auction to those who bid and supported — we extend our heartfelt thanks. You have truly helped us create waves of change. 

We look forward to welcoming you aboard one of our boats in the near future, so you can see firsthand the smiles, laughter, and quiet moments of peace that your generosity has made possible. 

Together, we are keeping the River Thames open and accessible to all.