The Canoe Foundation Makes Waves in London and Southeast England with almost £18,000 of funding

The Canoe Foundation Supports Paddle Access Improvement Projects Across London and Southeast England

In a bid to enhance physical access to paddle sports across the UK, the Canoe Foundation, official charity partner of Paddle UK, has announced funding for three significant projects in London and the Southeast of England.

These fantastic initiatives mark the beginning of a series of efforts across the UK this spring as part of over £79,000 that the Canoe Foundation has recently awarded. This is the first of six articles, honing in on the different regions that we have awarded funding to this spring. Read on to find out about the Canoe Foundation funding in London and the Southeast of England!

1. Revitalising Canals and Promoting Paddle Sports in Tower Hamlets, London

The Canoe Foundation has granted £8,000 to the Poplar Housing and Regeneration Community Association Limited (Poplar HARCA) in Tower Hamlets, east London. Teaming up with the East London Canal Access Network (ELCAN), Poplar HARCA is spearheading a project to rejuvenate canals and bolster paddle sports activities in the area.

The project, centered around the Teviot Estate, has already seen promising engagement, particularly from women of colour, with 50 participants already involved in paddle sports. The funding will facilitate the upskilling of participants to instructor level, introduce youth and men’s programs, and construct much-needed storage facilities.

Terri Calbraith of Poplar HARCA expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “The funding will transform a disused passageway into boat storage, bringing Oar & Explore one step closer to delivering a truly accessible paddle sports offer to local women and their families.”

Above and left: women from the Teviot estate enjoying paddling in central London

2. Ensuring Safe River Access in Hammersmith and Fulham, Greater London

Fulham Reach Boat Club (FRBC) in Hammersmith and Fulham, west London has been awarded £5,000 from the Canoe Foundation for the refurbishment of its pontoon on the River Thames. The pontoon, a vital launch site for over 1,500 rowers and kayakers annually, requires repairs to address safety concerns and ensure continued accessibility.

Al Horn, Boathouse Manager at FRBC, emphasised the significance of the funding, stating, “This grant will fund essential repairs making the platform safe, allowing us to introduce a further generation to the blue space.”

Above: the walkway to the pontoon at FRBC

3. Enhancing Waterway Access in Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation, Essex

Essex Waterways Ltd has been awarded £4,858 from the Canoe Foundation for essential access improvements along the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation. With a surge in local waterway usage, the project aims to enhance landing stages, steps and ramps at key locations, fostering a safer and more enjoyable experience for visitors.

The initiative anticipates a 20% increase in visitors, contributing to the development of a quality paddle trail for diverse user groups.

Above: Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation (file photo)

Congratulations to our newly awarded projects! We can’t wait to see the positive impact our funding will make in the coming months and years. Stay tuned for further regional updates as we continue to support initiatives nationwide!

As a charity, we rely on donations to continue supporting grassroots groups that enhance physical access to paddle sports across the UK. Please consider contributing a one-off or regular donation to the Canoe Foundation. Your support helps ensure sustainable and accessible waterways and coastlines for everyone in the UK. Thank you for being part of our mission to improve places to paddle!