Community generosity raises more than £2,000 for Pembrokeshire beach wheelchair scheme

The Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust has thanked the local community after a fundraising appeal launched in response to the vandalism of a beach wheelchair in Saundersfoot raised just over £2,000.

The appeal was launched after a specialist beach wheelchair was damaged in May, with two tyres and an arm stolen from the equipment, causing around £600 worth of damage. The incident prompted an outpouring of public support, with hundreds of messages of encouragement and donations from individuals, businesses and community groups.

Although the appeal did not reach its £15,000 target, the charity says the response has been overwhelmingly positive and will have a lasting impact on the Outdoor Mobility Scheme.

The funds raised have enabled the damaged wheelchair to be repaired and returned to service, ensuring it remains available for people with mobility challenges to enjoy Pembrokeshire's beaches. The charity is also exploring designs for secure, lockable shelters to better protect the equipment in the future.

Katie Macro, Director of Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, said: “We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported the appeal. The generosity shown following such a disappointing incident has been truly heartwarming. Thanks to everyone's support, we've been able to repair the wheelchair and are now looking at ways to further improve the security of the equipment, helping to safeguard the scheme for years to come.”

The Trust also thanked Unison Pembrokeshire Branch, whose generous £100 donation helped take the appeal total to just over £2,000.

Angela Robinson, Health and Wellbeing Team Leader at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said: “Every day we see the difference these beach wheelchairs make, whether it's enabling someone to visit the beach for the first time in years or helping families spend precious time together by the sea. The support we've received will help us continue providing those opportunities for hundreds of people each year, and we're incredibly grateful to everyone.”

The Outdoor Mobility Scheme provides free beach wheelchairs and all-terrain mobility equipment from locations across Pembrokeshire. In 2025 alone, the equipment was used more than 900 times, helping disabled people, older adults, families and visitors enjoy the county's spectacular coastline.

While this particular fundraising appeal is now closing, the need to support and develop the scheme continues.

Individuals can continue to support the Outdoor Mobility Scheme through donations, helping to fund new equipment, maintenance and the ongoing delivery of the service. Donations can be made via the Beach Wheelchair donation page at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/beach-wheelchairs-donate.

Businesses and organisations can also play a vital role by joining the Get Outdoors Partnership Programme. Through the programme, organisations become Connectors, Supporters or Champions, helping to make the National Park more accessible and inclusive while demonstrating their commitment to their community, accessibility and wellbeing.

To find out more about becoming a partner, visit https://pembrokeshirecoasttrust.wales/support-us/get-outdoors.