Access for all - it's not an easy goal, but it's one we're really committed to. 

Ever since we opened our new Portal building in 2015, we've been working hard to improve what we can offer for everyone, particularly visitors who have additional needs. You can read about some of our work on our website in our access statement. 

But whilst we've been able to make a lot of changes for the better already, some of the changes we'd like to make come with a rather large price tag. The largest of them all is the cost for fitting platform lifts to all of our boats, so that they can all be used by people in wheelchairs or anyone else who struggles with steps. 

So that's why we've started this campaign - to kickstart our fundraising for new access lifts. Each lift will cost around £20,000 to buy and install, so this campaign is just the start of our fundraising. But it's the most important part - by demonstrating that the public are behind us through their donations, grant-giving bodies will get behind the project too. So your donation, even if it's just a few pounds, could soon turn into much, much more.

Our staff and volunteers are really excited about this fundraising campaign - so much so that they've offered to take part in a legging competition through the Dudley Tunnel in September to help raise money and awareness. They'd really love your support, through your donations - you can find their individual pages in the list of fundraisers on the right.