BASINGSTOKE Canal Society is planning to buy a new electric trip boat and kick-start the electrification of the entire canal — but it needs the support of residents.
It is asking members of the public to take a short survey to express how they feel about the new plans.
The society has been very active over recent months and years — raising just over half the required target to secure a new electric trip boat based in Woking Town Wharf.
In a bid to reach the grand target and move forward with the plan, the society has been successful in entering the second phase of the application with Your Fund Surrey for a £75,000 grant.
READ MORE: Basingstoke Canal Society raises more than £50k to replace popular trip boat
It is now requesting residents across Hampshire and Surrey to offer their support by clicking on the Your Fund Surrey website and answering a few questions about how they feel about the cause.
To participate in the three-minute survey, visit yourfundsurreyproposals.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/help-us-replace-kitty/step1
The current trip boat, Kitty, is a much-loved community resource and an attraction offering thousands of visitors each year a trip down the Basingstoke Canal.
However, Kitty is nearing the end of her life and becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.
The society raised more than £50,000 for the new boat in December, thanks to various fundraisers and donations.
But it needs more funds for the project.
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It is also planning to install charging points to kick-start the electrification of the entire canal.
The Basingstoke Canal is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), so it’s particularly important to protect its environment with this new ‘greener’ trip boat.
Every penny raised goes directly to replacing Kitty because as with everything that the canal society does, no-one is paid to crew and look after Kitty, everyone is a volunteer.
The new electric Kitty will also be designed to be better adapted for wheelchair use and have better facilities for all users.
If you are interested in the Basingstoke Canal Society, donating or volunteering, visit basingstoke-canal.org.uk
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