A narrowboat that delighted elderly and disabled people with canal trips for more than two decades sailed her last in 2014.

The Venturer narrowboat, which was launched by Prince Charles, provided journeys along the Oxford Canal and River Thames since its launch in 1988.

It was most often used by care homes and schools across the county, because it had been specially adapted, with full wheelchair access, a lift to the cabin and a disabled toilet and shower.

After 26 years on the water, the boat moored up for the last time in 2014, as Oxfordshire Narrowboat Charitable Trust could no longer afford to run her.

Read again: Lost pubs in Oxford and recent success stories

Mike Stanley, of the trust, said at the time: “When you see the children get on and their faces when they got off, it just made our day. It’s sad but we have had to let it go.”

Mike Stanley on The Venturer

Mike Stanley on The Venturer

“There are a number of reasons which have all added up, things have got harder financially and over the years it became really hard work.

“Our charges are low and when we put them up a few years ago quite a few of the homes who use us said they could no longer afford it.”

The boat was initially owned by BBC Radio Oxford – and was used then for disabled people – but was taken over by the Oxfordshire Narrowboat Charitable Trust.

Care homes such as Old Station House in Abingdon and St John’s in Oxford enjoyed trips along the river in The Venturer, as well as the Marston Over 50s.

Read more: Offers will be made for Lamb & Flag says real ale group

The boat was built by apprentices on a Youth Training Scheme programme in Birkenhead, Merseyside.

Mr Stanley, a retired Potato Marketing Board employee, received an MBE in 2007 for helping to provide trips for people with special needs, as well as his 30 years with the 10th Oxford Scouts in Marston and work to set up Scouting links in Russia.

The 76-year-old added: “When we took it over from the BBC it was failing. It was losing money hand over fist.

bridge near Port Meadow taken from the Venturer This photo was taken on Sunday morning. The Venturer narrowboat was giving trips to Port Meadow as part of heritage weekend. Pauline Massey 21 Bridge Street Osney Oxford OX2 0BA Readers Pictures

bridge near Port Meadow taken from the Venturer This photo was taken on Sunday morning. The Venturer narrowboat was giving trips to Port Meadow as part of heritage weekend. Pauline Massey 21 Bridge Street Osney Oxford OX2 0BA Readers Pictures

“I look back fondly over the years we had it running.

Read again: Seacourt park and ride extension nears completion

“Because we are a charity we can’t use it as a money-making scheme and it’s an expensive thing to run. It’s been heavily subsidised over the last few years.”

The trust had hoped someone would come forward to help them to continue providing the service, but finally decided the boat had embarked on its last trip.