Thames Sailability. Annual Report 2025 im . LWww.thamessaila A Charity Run Entirely by Volunteers _ Registered Chority Number1189796 -
Thames Sailability: Keeping the Dream Afloat:
Born in June 2020, Thames Sailability was established to preserve the legacy of the Impossible Dream—a specially adapted vessel that faced an uncertain future when its previous operator, Sporting Activities for the Disabled (SAD), wound down operations. Refusing to let such a vital community resource disappear, the boat’s original crew stepped up to form an independent team dedicated to keeping her on the water.
Operating out of Shepperton Marina, we offer inclusive boating experiences along the scenic River Thames. We are proud to support:
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✓ Wheelchair users (with space for 3 chairs per trip).
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✓ People disadvantaged by disability.
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✓ Individuals with reduced mobility.
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✓ People with learning disabilities.
The Impossible Dream is a fully accessible boat designed for comfort and safety, operating year-round.
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✓ Capacity: Up to 10 passengers per excursion.
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✓ Our Partners: We work closely with SEND schools and adult daycare centres to provide regular therapeutic outings.
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✓ Private Hire: We also welcome families, friends, and social groups looking for a unique, accessible day on the river.
Thames Sailability is run entirely by unpaid volunteers and is completely dependent upon voluntary donations and grants to operate.
Whether you are a regular partner or a first-time visitor, we invite you to join us and experience the freedom of the Thames.
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Chairman’s Welcome
As Chairman, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to this year’s annual report.
At the heart of our charity is a simple but powerful mission: to provide accessible and enriching boat trips along the Thames for people with disabilities and learning difficulties. These journeys offer more than just time on the water - they create moments of joy, connection, and freedom that can be truly life-changing.
None of this would be possible without the extraordinary dedication of our volunteers. Their commitment, compassion, and generosity of spirit are the foundation upon which our work is built. From those who help prepare and maintain our boat, to those who accompany our passengers and ensure every trip is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable, each volunteer plays a vital role.
This year, our volunteers have once again gone above and beyond. They have given their time freely, adapted to challenges, and brought warmth and dignity to every interaction. Their support enables us not only to deliver our services but to do so with care, respect, and a genuine sense of community.
We are deeply grateful for their continued support, and we remain committed to providing them with the training, encouragement, and recognition they so richly deserve.
As you read this report, I hope you will gain a sense of the difference our charity makes and the essential role our volunteers play. Together, we look forward to another year of creating meaningful experiences on the Thames for those who benefit most from them.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Colin Brown. Chair of Trustees
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What we did last year
Heavy rain causing extreme river flows once again prevented us conducting our usual all year-round schedule. Our bookings coordinator, Nigel, has the task of matching trip requests with volunteer availability and with the increasing demand it was becoming extremely challenging. The administration of dealing with the changes was so time consuming and unreliable. Something was needed to
automate this task where possible. So, following some extensive research we introduced ThreeRings .
Three Rings is an online volunteer management system, designed to let volunteers ‘sign up’ against a schedule and manage the records and essential communication. It was a total success and has transformed our administration. ThreeRings was developed by the Samaritans, and they allow other Charities to use the software for an extremely preferential rate.
2025 was nevertheless a record year, completing more trips and carrying more passengers than any previous year. See below.
| Year | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trips completed. | 192 | 130 | 122 | 174 | 110 | 32 | 127 |
| Passengers carried. | 1165 | 791 | 696 | 1060 | 617 | 134 | 837 |
Bringing volunteers together
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Our special boat, “Impossible Dream”
In addition to our dedicated volunteers, Impossible Dream is our primary asset, and we take great pride in maintaining and enhancing her condition. Mike, our Bosun, takes responsibility for this task and has had a busy year keeping her in good shape and encouraging our members to join in this necessary chore. This year she was lifted out of the water for a full service and hull inspection. Much effort was expended giving the blue hull
a buff up and polish. You will see the cost of this reflected in the report. Apart from the normal running repairs Mike also installed windshield washers.
Safety and care on the water.
At Thames Sailability, safety and care go hand in hand. We follow all legal and safety requirements, including our Environment Agency licence and the MCA Small Boat Code. Where the Code doesn’t apply - such as safeguarding - we’ve created our own thoughtful policies to keep everyone protected.
Our skippers are not only fully qualified but deeply committed to making every trip safe and enjoyable. They’re trained in boat handling, safety procedures, and the use of equipment, and we’re always happy to share our safeguarding policy and risk assessments with clients who’d like to see them.
Before each outing, the skipper checks river and weather conditions to make sure it’s safe to set sail. We operate all year round, though trips may occasionally be cancelled - usually with notice - if conditions aren’t right.
Impossible Dream carries everything needed for safety and rescue, including buoyancy aids for all passengers. Access ramps make boarding easy and secure for wheelchair users and anyone with limited mobility, ensuring that everyone can share in the joy of being on the water.
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Where the money came from in 2025
We are grateful for the donations we receive from our clients, which help cover some of our operating costs. However, support from local organisations is crucial for the
sustainability of Impossible Dream. Securing grants is an ongoing task and Derek, our Fundraising Leader pursues every possible opportunity. Derek was awarded the Unsung Hero Special Mention in the Runnymede and Spelthone Volunteer Awards, a recognition well deserved. His diligence has allowed us to successfully obtain funding from several local bodies, which is essential for covering the remaining operational costs, including maintenance and repairs. We acknowledge our supporters by allowing them to display their logos on Impossible Dream if they wish.
With the continued support of these major benefactors, our operations can achieve significantly more and reach a broader audience.
| Spelthorne Borough | £3,000.00 |
|---|---|
| Shepperton Marina | £1,791.05 |
| Shepperton Marina(Bertholders Party) | £1,421.00 |
| Shepperton Aurora RotaryClub | £1,500.00 |
| The Whirlwind Charity | £1,200.00 |
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Special Mention – Shepperton Marina
For over a decade, Shepperton Marina Ltd has been a steadfast supporter of our charity and a dedicated guardian of Impossible Dream. We are incredibly grateful to Lisa Harris (Marina Manager) and her team; their expertise gives us the peace of mind that our most precious asset is in the safest possible hands.
Local Community.
As a local charity, taking part in community events and river celebrations is at the heart of our work. Since our founding, we have been actively involved in many such events and plan to continue participating whenever possible. Being part of the local community also allows us to promote our services, and we regularly attend events to support this.
It has been two years since Vivienne Leighton officially accepted the role of
President, and her impact on Thames Sailability continues to grow. Vivienne brings a deep understanding of the local community, having served as a Spelthorne Borough Councillor since 2003, Council Leader in 2011, and Mayor in 2017. As a longtime friend of our operations, Vivienne’s enduring support and expertise are invaluable as she helps us promote our mission and expand our reach within the community.
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< Impossible Dream ready to for a river celebration
How we spend your money.
Every boat owner understands that maintaining a vessel is a significant financial commitment, and Thames Sailability is no exception. To ensure we provide a safe and accessible experience for everyone, the majority of our funding is dedicated to:
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Mooring -
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Our year-round berth in Shepperton Marina, which is generously subsidised by the marina itself.
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Maintenance -
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Our two outboard engines require professional servicing to remain reliable, while the boat itself must be periodically craned out of the water. This allows for essential hull inspections and cleaning below the waterline to prevent and ensure optimal performance.
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Fuel -
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Although we cruise at low speeds, we cover a lot of miles in a year.
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Safety -
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Lifejackets and safety equipment have 'use-by' dates and must be replaced regularly to ensure they are effective.
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Legal -
We carry all the necessary insurances and licences.
- Administration We market ourselves to ensure as many people and organisations as possible can enjoy a trip on the Thames. We support this effort through our website, social media and email accounts.
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The year ahead.
The boat is in good condition after its lift out and service in August so hopefully we will run without any need for significant repairs.
As our service demand grows and natural turnover continues, we are extending our recruitment campaign. Our Charity Secretary and Recruiting Champion, Mark, has seen fantastic success so far and remains dedicated to bringing in fresh talent from our local community.
To ensure Impossible Dream continues to operate with the highest safety standards, we are
maintaining our investment in comprehensive training. This includes structured inductions for new volunteers and continuous skill development for our existing team. Furthermore, we actively support volunteers aspiring to become qualified skippers by encouraging and facilitating the completion of RYA Powerboat Level 2 courses.
All our safety equipment, especially life jackets and buoyancy aids, will be serviced and replaced wherever necessary.
We will have our outboard motors serviced.
We will launch a project to begin fundraising to replace Impossible Dream within the next few years.
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The Management Team
Our Management Team are all unpaid volunteers, and crew Impossible Dream. We welcomed Mark Gubbins to the team this year who took on the task of attracting new volunteers. The remainder of the team are all founder members of Thames Sailability. They all work tirelessly to keep our operation safe and reliable.
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President: Vivienne Leighton
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• Chair: Colin Brown • Secretary & Recruitment: Mark Gubbins • Treasurer: Chris Bound • Bookings Administrator: Nigel Horsfield • Fundraising: Derek Beake • Without Portfolio: David Jillings
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statement.
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31[st] December 2025.
Objectives and Activities
The objectives of the Charity as per the Constitution are:
to provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their disability with the object of improving their conditions of life, by providing opportunities to enjoy boating activities on the Thames and its adjoining waterways .
✓ The objectives are met by providing river trips in a safe environment on the boat Impossible Dream.
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✓ The Charity operates entirely with volunteers, using professional services only for specialised tasks like major engine and hull maintenance.
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✓ The Charity does not employ professional fundraisers. ✓ The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and believe the charity’s activities are fully compliant (FRS102: 1.18).
Structure, Governance and Management
Thames Sailability, founded in 2015 and registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on June 5, 2020, is managed by a Board of four trustees. The trustees regularly meet and appoint a Management Team to handle daily operations and financial matters.
Trustees Selection and Appointment
Trustees are selected by the Management Board and require confirmation by Members at the Annual General Meeting. Currently, no other organisation has the authority to select or appoint a trustee.
Trustees
Mr. Colin William Brown (Chair)
Mr. Derek William Beake
Mr. Nigel Jeremy Horsfield
Mr. David Edmund Jillings
All the trustees were founders of the Charity and remained in post at the end of the year.
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Related Parties
The Charity has no subsidiaries. There are no related parties in the Charity.
The Charity is affiliated to the Royal Yachting Association and operates in a manner which ensures that the body’s standards continue to be maintained.
We are registered with the Fundraising Regulator. This registration demonstrates that we operate all fundraising activities in accordance with The Code of Fundraising Practice.
Financial Review and Results.
Chris is the steady hand behind our finances, quietly keeping everything running smoothly. He tracks every donation, pays the bills, and makes sure our accounts are clear and easy for the rest of us to understand. Most of his work happens in the background - checking statements, preparing simple reports, filing returns - but it makes a huge difference to how confidently we can plan and operate.
His calm, reliable approach gives volunteers real peace of mind. Chris isn’t just looking after numbers; he’s supporting the whole
charity, helping us stay focused on what matters most: the people we serve. And on top of that he’s a valued skipper.
Here is his report:
The Charity ended the year in a healthy financial state.
Despite restricted activity during the autumn and winter due to poor weather and challenging river conditions, we saw a significant surge in demand throughout the spring and summer. This peak-season growth kept passenger numbers high, resulting in a strong increase in passenger donations.
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Our other overall income held steady, and we are particularly grateful to Spelthorne Council, Shepperton Marina, Shepperton Aurora Rotary Club and The Whirlwind Charity for their on-going financial support.
Financial Summary
The income of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2025 was £14,723, with expenditure amounting to £7,798. The net surplus for the year was £6,925.
The overall net assets of the Charity at the end of the year were £48,634, including Unrestricted Reserves of £8,634.
Details appear on the next two pages of this report.
The Charity does not hold any investments.
Although the Charity is exempt from examination under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011, the accounts have been reviewed by an independent examiner and found to be accurate.
The trustees confirm that the Charity remains a going concern.
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| THAMES SAILABILITY- 2025 | THAMES SAILABILITY- 2025 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance Sheet | |||||||||||
| Notes | 2025 | 2024 | Change | ||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Non-Current Assets | |||||||||||
| Impossible Dream | 1 | 10,000.00 | 10,000.00 | 0.00 | |||||||
| Current Assets | |||||||||||
| Cash in hand | 140.13 | 214.57 | -74.44 | ||||||||
| Cash at Bank: | |||||||||||
| (1)Current Account | 3,060.51 | 6,886.74 | -3,826.23 | ||||||||
| (2)"LiquidityManager" 35 DayAccount | 31,053.74 | 20,471.53 | 10,582.21 | ||||||||
| 44,254.38 | 37,572.84 | 6,681.54 | |||||||||
| Debtors | |||||||||||
| CAF(Donation & Gift Aid Pending) | 26.44 | 17.80 | ) | ||||||||
| Freemantles School | 270.00 | 450.00 | ) | ||||||||
| Walton Leigh School | 390.00 | 470.00 | ) | 78.64 | |||||||
| Dramatize | 370.00 | 0.00 | ) | ||||||||
| Whitestone Care Home | 0.00 | 40.00 | ) | ||||||||
| Pre-payments | |||||||||||
| Insurance,Licence & Moorings for 2026 | 3,323.00 | 3,157.97 | 165.03 | ||||||||
| Creditors | |||||||||||
| None | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||||
| Net Assets | 48,633.82 | 41,708.61 | 6,925.21 | ||||||||
| RESERVES | |||||||||||
| Non-Current Assets | |||||||||||
| Fixed Assets(Impossible Dream) | 1 | 10,000.00 | 10,000.00 | 0.00 | |||||||
| Restricted Reserves | |||||||||||
| Reserves Carried forw ard | 2 | 30,000.00 | 23,000.00 | 7,000.00 | |||||||
| Unrestricted Reserves | |||||||||||
| Reserves Brought Forw ard | 8,708.61 | 8,247.56 | 461.05 | ||||||||
| Surplus from Income & Expenditure | 6,925.21 | 8,461.05 | -1,535.84 | ||||||||
| Transfer to Restricted Reserves | -7,000.00 | -8,000.00 | 1,000.00 | ||||||||
| Total of Unrestricted Reserves | 8,633.82 | 8,708.61 | -74.79 | ||||||||
| Total | 48,633.82 | 41,708.61 | 6,925.21 | ||||||||
| Notes on the Balance Sheet | |||||||||||
| 1 | The Bill of Sale show s a price of £1 having been paid by Th For accounting purposes only, a nominal value of £10,000 i value or replacement cost and is not related to the value for |
ames Sailability to s included here. w hich the boat i |
SA This s ins |
D for "Impossible is not intended to ured. |
Dream". reflect market |
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| 2 | The Trustees consider it vital for the future of the Charity th "Impossible Dream" and/or its engines. With this in mind, the of £7,000 to Restricted Reserves. |
at provision is made for the eventual replacement of trustees have passed a resolution to transfer to sum |
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| THAMES SAILABILITY- 2025 | THAMES SAILABILITY- 2025 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary of Income & Expenditure | ||||||||
| Income | Notes | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Subscriptions | ||||||||
| Subscriptions received(net of fees) | 185.64 | 263.38 | ||||||
| Passenger Donations | ||||||||
| Receipts frompassengers/clients | 4,254.68 | 2,679.66 | ||||||
| Grants & Other Donations | ||||||||
| Government or Local Authority | ||||||||
| Spelthorne Borough Council | 3,000.00 | 3,000.00 | ||||||
| Central SurreyVoluntaryServices | 0.00 | 2,000.00 | ||||||
| Other | ||||||||
| Shepperton Aurora RotaryClub | 1,500.00 | 500.00 | ||||||
| Shepperton Marina(Moorings) | 1,791.05 | 1,738.48 | ||||||
| Shepperton Marina(Bertholders' Party) | 1,421.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| The Whirlw ind Charity | 1,200.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| Sunbury& Shepperton RotaryClub | 0.00 | 1,713.00 | ||||||
| Mark Gubbins Gig | 0.00 | 309.03 | ||||||
| Men in Sheds(Greeno Centre) | 0.00 | 100.00 | ||||||
| Runnymede Ramblers | 0.00 | 339.61 | ||||||
| Laleham EveningWI | 0.00 | 100.00 | ||||||
| Attic Self Storage | 0.00 | 185.00 | ||||||
| Personal donations(via CAF,net of fees) | 480.00 | 482.00 | ||||||
| Other Personal Donations | 20.00 | 351.50 | ||||||
| 9,412.05 | 10,818.62 | |||||||
| Gift Aid | ||||||||
| Gift Aid recovered via CAF,net of fees) | 288.66 | 250.59 | ||||||
| Sales | ||||||||
| None | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| Interest | ||||||||
| Interest on savings | 582.21 | 610.32 | ||||||
| Total Income | 14,723.24 | 14,622.57 | ||||||
| Expenses | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
| ID Running Costs | ||||||||
| Fuel | 695.27 | 600.43 | ||||||
| Boat Insurance | 620.75 | 555.89 | ||||||
| Environment AgencyLicence | 131.55 | 120.70 | ||||||
| Boat SafetyExamination | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| MooringFees | 3,529.43 | 3,357.25 | ||||||
| Engine Service & antifouling | 1,381.17 | 0.00 | ||||||
| SundryMaintenance | 276.56 | 468.75 | ||||||
| Replacement of BuoyancyAids | 269.55 | 473.84 | ||||||
| 6,904.28 | 5,576.86 | |||||||
| Crew Training | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| Administration Costs | ||||||||
| RYA,RTS and FR Subscriptions | 280.00 | 235.00 | ||||||
| CIO Insurance | 356.17 | 283.89 | ||||||
| Internet & Web-hosting& CRM | 257.58 | 55.20 | ||||||
| Printing& Admin | 0.00 | 10.57 | ||||||
| Sundries | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| 893.75 | 584.66 | |||||||
| Total Expenses | 7,798.03 | 6,161.52 | ||||||
| Surplus | 6,925.21 | 8,461.05 |
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Reference and Administrative Details
Registered Charity Number 1189796
Registered Charity Address
13 Richmond Drive, Shepperton, TW17 9EB.
Charity Secretary Mark Gubbins Independent Examiner David Wilkinson, FCA
The report of the trustees was approved by the board on 18[th] March 2026 and signed on its behalf by
Colin Brown – Trustee & Chair.
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Contact Us:
Info@thamessailability.org.uk
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