Ball rolling on beach mat fundraising

Metro Marketing's Michelle Whitmore and Amanda Lowry are big supporters of funding for a beach mat for Maunganui beach. Photo/supplied

A $2000 gift has started the ball rolling on the project to buy the Bay a beach mat.

The $15,000 beach mat would enable wheelchair-bound locals and visitors to get down to the sand.

City council was seeking funding for the polyester matting, which was rolled out on Mount Maunganui beach two weeks ago for a trial.

Stacey Roche finally getting on to the beach using the beach mat which was trialled at Mount beach on Saturday 10 December. Photo/Andrew Warner

The mat, which costs about $2500 per 10, allowed people with wheelchairs, strollers, walking frames and other mobility issues to get down to the water's edge.

The first sponsor, Metro Marketing, has pledged $2000 and has encouraged other businesses to join in.

Metro Marketing's managing director, Michelle Whitmore, said the trial of the mat on December 10 and 11 spurred her into action.

"It made me stop and think that $2000 will make a world of difference if it can be the catalyst for other businesses and service organisations to do the same."

Ms Whitmore hoped her donation would create a domino effect "for those needing support to enjoy the beach."

Mount Maunganui had one of the world's best beaches and it was plain wrong that it was inaccessible to so many, she said.

Tauranga City Council community development advisor Dani Jurgeleit told the Bay of Plenty Times she had also received interest from a Lions Club and a private donor.

She said the mat would be used daily over summer. It could also be used at community events, such as over muddy ground at rugby matches.

"It's not just for wheelchairs. It's great for those with mobility scooters, walkers and strollers and kids with autism who don't like sand between their toes, for example.

"We would encourage people from rest homes to come and use it too," Ms Jurgeleit said.

When the mat was trialled, it was used by an arthritic man who found sand to be painful on his tender nerve endings.

"He got to the water's edge and was very happy," she said.

Tauranga Grey Power president Jennifer Custins said the mat would keep all sorts of people independent and mobile.

"It includes people in things they would have enjoyed when they were young," she said. "Just because bodies age doesn't mean they should be barred from things."

Tourism Bay of Plenty head of marketing Kath Low said it was important for those who required wheelchairs for mobility to have access to the sea.

Initiatives like the beach were to be applauded, to bring more visitors and locals to enjoy our spectacular beaches, she said.

Tauranga tetraplegic Amanda Lowry said using the mat to get down to the sand to play with her children during the mat trial weekend was amazing.

"I want the opportunity to get some sand in my togs and lie there next to my kids. It's not just about disabilities, it's about everyone.

"It's about living a full life with no restrictions - no barriers. It's about being on the beach and celebrating what it is to be Kiwi," Ms Lowry said.

BEACH MAT
Those keen to get behind the project should contact Tauranga City Council project manager Michael Vujnovich on michael.vujnovich@tauranga.govt.nz