A NARROWBOAT to take children from Oxford’s Blackbird Leys estate on waterway outings has been launched.

Biddy’s Dream, a 60ft canal boat, set sail for the first time on Monday.

The Dovecoat Afloat project has been spearheaded by the Dovecote Voluntary Committee, and will take young people on activities, courses and weekend trips.

Manager Carol Richards, said: “This is a fantastic project which will really give disabled young people throughout the county and community groups from Blackbird Leys the opportunity to experience and explore the countryside in a really exciting way.

“It’s an inspirational project too, as it will be owned, developed and managed by the very community who will benefit from it.”

Mrs Richards came up with the idea after hearing about one child’s trip on a boat with her grandparents.

She said: “I just saw all the childrens’ eyes light up. Then when I was walking along the canal, I decided we could definitely do something with a boat.”

She added: “It will provide children with an opportunity to get out and about more and escape the daily challenges faced by young people living in one of Europe’s largest housing estates.”

The boat was part-funded with a £50,000 grant from Oxfordshire County Council’s Aiming High for Disabled Children.

Other donations came from organisations including Bla-ckbird Leys Parish Council, Oxford Round Table, the Co-operative Group and Oxford Citizens’ Housing Association.

It will be moored on the Oxford canal at Gunpowder Wharf in Kidlington and be open to other Oxfordshire groups.

Mrs Richards said: “It is giving children the chance to do something they wouldn’t normally have the chance to do.

“Boating is an expensive thing to do and this opens up a whole new world for them.

“People on the water are so friendly, it makes them feel part of a new community and builds up their confidence.”

Among the children enjoying the boat’s maiden voayge this week were 10-year-old twin sisters Molly and Jessica Hart. Molly said: “The boat is fun and we learned so many things about locks and rivers.”

Jessica added: “It’s amazing and we are with our friends and can see so much nature.”

Activities on the boat will include bird spotting, map reading, water safety and building camp fires.

Dovecote Afloat will also work with agencies such as the Wildlife Trust, the RSPB and the Environment Agency to hold workshops.

The boat will be available for use by schools, community groups and other organisations.

Groups applying from Blackbird Leys will be given priority for bookings.

To register an interest in using the boat, send an email to leysdvpc@hotmail.com