Mount Maunganui could lead the country in having an access mat that enables wheelchair access to the beach, if Metro Marketing managing director Michelle Whitmore has her way.

Michelle, with the backing of Tauranga City Council, is proposing that other businesses or service organisations join her in supporting the $15,000 project.

Metro Marketing's Christmas initiative this year will be to start the ball rolling with a $2,000 gift.

Her philanthropic offer and challenge to other businesses comes after 60 metres of the 1.5 metre-wide polyester matting was rolled out at the Mount as a trial on December 10 and 11.

Tauranga City Council ‎Community Development Advisor Dani Jurgeleit says the access mat's Australian distributor had left the model behind to give Council the opportunity to seek funding. The mat, which costs about $2,500 per 10 metre roll, works well on soft sand and undulating surfaces.

'Sixty metres would get people with mobility challenges down to the beach in summer. While it is a good starting point, we are not limited to that number,” says Dani.

Extra metres would enable a greater turn-around and congregation area on the water front. There were also the options of having multiple mats at different beach localities, 'branches” off the main mat, and the possibility of purchasing floating wheelchairs, each valued at $4,000.

Halberg Trust Disability Sport adviser Cherryl Thompson confirms it would be the first beach access mat in New Zealand. She has been 'inundated” with letters of support since the mat was trialled.

Michelle believes it's a perfect opportunity for small-to-medium sized businesses to do something by banding together.

'Often the bigger projects are outside the realms for smaller businesses, whereas this one is possible with us all doing our bit.

'We are globally recognised as having one of the world's best beaches. The fact it is inaccessible to so many is just wrong.”

Tauranga tetraplegic Amanda Lowry, who is a parent to two young daughters, was at the weekend trial.

She is thrilled Metro Marketing and Tauranga City Council are leading the charge in garnering public support for the access mat. She has already heard from business people who will financially support the concept.

She says using the mat to get down on the sand to play with her children during the mat trail weekend was 'just amazing.”

'I want the opportunity to get some sand in my togs and lie there next to my kids. It's not just about disabilities, it's about everyone. It's about living a full life with no restrictions – no barriers. It's about being on the beach and celebrating what it is to be a kiwi.”