Wetwheels and Blue Marine Foundation named as 2018 DAME charities
by METSTRADE Press, Annemarie Burgmans 1 Sep 2018 12:04 BST
Wetwheels and Blue Marine Foundation named as 2018 DAME charities © RAI Amsterdam
The presentation of the DAME Design Award at the start of the annual METSTRADE Show is always a key moment on the leisure marine calendar, with the winners being assured of global exposure for their new product.
The DAME Awards also serve as a way for the METSTRADE community to give something back to society as all entry fees are donated to a good cause. This year's METSTRADE Exhibition Committee has selected two charities to receive the funds, Wetwheels and the Blue Marine Foundation.
Both charities pursue marine-related objectives and the committee was impressed with the presentations by Wetwheels and the Blue Marine Foundation that it decided to offer them an equal share of the DAME 2018 proceeds. A cheque will be handed over to representatives from the two organisations on Tuesday 13 November at the DAME Awards ceremony, which takes place during the METSTRADE 2018 Breakfast Briefing.
Access for all
Wetwheels builds disabled people's confidence by providing the opportunity to access the sea in a fun, safe, stimulating and rewarding way using specially designed, fully accessible powerboats. At the heart of its work is ensuring participants are actively engaged in a truly inclusive experience open to all disabled people. The DAME Awards funds will be used to provide active, participatory, therapeutic, outdoor sea-going adventures to disabled people and their friends, family or carers in coastal locations around the UK.
Improving the marine environment
The Blue Marine Foundation is dedicated to restoring the health of the worlds' oceans by creating marine-protected areas, developing models of sustainable fishing, repairing key marine habitats and protecting vulnerable and threatened species.
The charity will use the DAME donation for a project in the Aeolian Islands aimed at improving the marine environment and ensuring a harmonious marine industry for local fishers and leisure boats. The funds will go towards the purchase of a research and patrol vessel that will be used for monitoring, research and educational purposes.
Product entry is still open for the DAME
It is still possible for METSTRADE (co-) exhibitors to enter their product for the DAME Awards and showcase their latest marine equipment innovation. The final application deadline for application is 18 September. Note: your entry fee will go towards the work of Wetwheels and the Blue Marine Foundation.
www.metstrade.com/awards/dame-design-award