A CHARITY which gives sailing lessons to disabled people has been given more than £50,000 funding to create a new base.

Mylor Sailability received £48,270 from Sport England's National Lottery-backed Inspired Facilities and £3,000 from Mylor Yacht Harbour to be used for their Let's Get Going project.

The scheme is looking to bring a new home for the charity based in the harbour with classrooms, changing facilities, social area and specially designed pontoon to help wheelchair users or severely disabled sailors get on the boat.

Work is set to begin on the plans over the winter and charity founder Tracey Boyne said the funding they have received provides a real boost for them.

Boyne said: “At the moment we cannot run day time sessions in the summer due to lack of capacity with the commercial school.

“The new classroom and social area will come complete with a sophisticated projector and hearing loop system to enable us to deliver the shore-based sessions to all participants working through the RYA scheme to help achieve certification.

“The extra pontoon section will fit 90 degrees onto the end of our existing pontoon and this will make launching and landing so much easier.”