by Pete Petterson (
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I'm a writer blogger who has been resident in the Hutt Valley since the late 1960's. I'm a father, grandfather and great-grandfather. I have seen many people come and go over the years, seen many things good and bad. Time to remember whanau
Since late June of this year, 2015, the S.U.R.F. Community Trust and SmiledDial have been in partnership to bring beach accessible wheelchairs to Christchurch's New Brighton Beach. Thanks to Christchurch City Council, the great citizens of the New Brighton suburb through a variety of community organisations fundraising, were able to announce and launch the first project of its kind in New Zealand and share the wheelchairs with Christchurch City.
From 28 November, 2015, two chairs, one adult and one child's beach accessible, were made available for permanent basing at New Brighton Beach. A map has been made available and those wishing to use the chairs can RSVP to info@smiledial.co.nz
The "Beach Chair" project now makes every beach in Canterbury accessible to people who cannot usually access the beaches of our region due to physical disabilities.
The organising bodies are the SURF Community Trust and SmileDial.
