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Peter Kay makes rare public appearance to launch new accessible boat for disabled people
The comic was the guest of honour at the unveiling of Anderton Centre’s new Wheelyboat
Peter Kay made a rare public appearance over the weekend to launch a new accessible boat in Chorley.
The comedian said he was ‘honoured’ to cut the ribbon for the wheelchair-accessible powerboat, which will allow disabled people to enjoy activities on the water the Anderton Centre in Chorley, on Saturday, April 23rd.
Kay, who recently made his on-stage return after a five year break, sang his praises for the Anderton centre, which he claims to have visited with his own children on several occasions in the past.
He said, as per the BBC: “It’s very lovely to be here today. I’m honoured to be asked to launch this fantastic Wheelyboat, which I hope gives a lot of people a lot of pleasure and happiness out on the water.
“The Anderton Centre is a fantastic place and I love coming here, and the people are really nice… When it’s a nice day and there’s a heatwave, you think you’re in the south of France.”
Andy Beadsley, director of the Wheelyboat Trust, said that the boat is ‘a lifeline for anyone with a disability’.
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He said that the vessel ‘removes the barriers and enables disabled people to participate alongside and on equal terms with their able-bodied counterparts’.
He added: “All too often people with disabilities are restricted in the activities they can take part in due to lack of accessible facilities and equipment, which is something we are striving to change.”
David Germain, chief executive at the Anderton Centre, added that North West England had the second-highest proportion of disabled people in the UK, with more than 521,000 disabled people in Greater Manchester alone.
He said: “We’ve long wanted to be able to accommodate those on our doorstep and further afield to take part and enjoy a range of waterborne activities, and for once participate on equal terms with their able-bodied counterparts.”
Peter Kay took a step back from both the stage and public life back in 2017, citing ‘unforeseen family circumstances’.
However, the Bolton-born comic returned to the stage earlier this month to kick start his first tour in eleven years.
At the event in Chorley, Kay also confirmed that more shows are planned for London this Friday and for Liverpool in August, but any future TV appearance would remain a ‘surprise’.