BeachAbility

The Story Behind BeachAbility

The idea for BeachAbility came from our Founder, Sharon Gray, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in January 2012 and soon after became a wheelchair user.

"One of my greatest pleasures was walking my dog on the beach but I couldn't get onto the beach with my normal wheel chair. One day when sitting on the slip at St Ouens, I bumped into my ex-physiotherapist Suzie MacLagan [now the Secretary for BeachAbility], who told me that it had always been a dream of hers to be able to offer access for disabled people onto the beach and so the idea developed."

The funds for the first chair were raised by Sharon’s friends, family and the Ladies of Les Mielles Golf Club, who held a charity event for Sharon, back in July 2012, raising a substantial amount of money. Shortly after, Sharon was able to purchase its first wheelchair costing £3,000 which she later donated to BeachAbility.

The legacy of Sharon’s generosity of spirit means BeachAbility can offer access to many of our islands Beautiful beaches.

BeachAbility provides manual, ballooned wheel chairs available for use on the beach for anyone that needs help with their mobility.
Chair users need to be accompanied by an adult Helper who will offer assistance with transfers and will push the chair.

BeachAbility is a Jersey charity that lends manual beach wheelchairs to local residents and visitors free of charge.

BeachAbility is an eco-friendly and fun way to enjoy Jersey's beautiful beaches.

The chairs roll over sand, stones and slipways with ease and are available for anyone who needs help with their mobility.

There are 10 beach wheelchairs located at seven key sites around the island:

Le Braye Cafe, St Ouen
West Park, St Helier
Gunsite Slip, St Aubin Bay
St Brelade's Bay at Winston Churchill Car Park
Long Beach, Gorey
La Mare Slip, St Clement Bel Royal Slip, St Aubin Bay

Users should be able to transfer onto the chair and be accompanied by a helper. A Hoist is now available for those unable to transfer onto the chair.