A HAMPSHIRE charity that helps disabled people learn to sail is on the crest of a wave after receiving a cash boost.

Rotarians have awarded Totton-based Testwood Lakes Sailability (TLS) a total of £8,000 - enough money to buy a new boat and a hoist that will enable users to get in and out of the craft.

A separate grant has bought a new cooker for a group of volunteers who provide lunches for dozens of pensioners in the Holbury area.

Now the fundraisers are on the look-out for other good causes.

It follows the launch last year of a fund launched in memory of Maurice Porter, founder president of New Forest Rotary Club and the first member of the group to be made a Paul Harris Fellow.

Named after the Chicago attorney who founded Rotary International in 1905, it is one of the highest accolades the organisation can bestow.

Rotarian Alan Blair, of Ashurst, said: "Maurice was a great champion of local good causes.

"Last year we had five superb applications and awarded two grants - one to the Oasis Luncheon Club at Hardley Green and the other to Testwood Lakes Sailability.

"Now we'd like to hear from other groups or individuals who are doing good work in the community and would benefit from financial support."

TLS is based at the headquarters of the 4th New Forest (Eling) Sea Scouts, who occupy a two-storey building overlooking one of the lakes between Calmore Industrial Estate and the M27 motorway.

TLS's application to New Forest Rotary Club resulted in a £2,000 grant, plus donations from Hythe and Waterside Rotary Club and Rotary District.

Some of the cash will be used to buy a new dinghy that will enable people with disabilities to take to the water. The rest of the cash will fund a hoist that will be installed following the construction of a pontoon.

One of two existing boats will be named after Mr Porter in recognition of the help that TLS has received from Rotary.

The retired civil engineer, who died in 2014 aged 82, lived in Lyndhurst for more than half a century. He was a parish councillor for three years, a keen member of the residents’ association and a tireless campaigner for a village bypass.

Anyone wishing to apply for a grant from the Founder President's Fund should e-mail alanblair0@icloud.com by May 31.