HAYDEN — This is the toughest time of year for Miles Moore, and not because it’s cold — or because he can’t be out sailing.

Nope, this is fundraising season, and no matter how worthy the cause, it’s never easy to ask people for financial help.

But Moore plugs away at it nevertheless, trying each winter to secure enough money to continue his efforts to provide local marine and park access for disabled users.

“There are so many places in this county that don’t have proper access for everyone,” Moore said. “We need funding to change that.”

Moore is a veteran sailor who has taken on this accessibility crusade through his Access to Outdoors program.

Miles and his wife, Corine, run a sailing equipment shop called FunToSail.com, 406 W. Miles Ave., and he earns a living as an instructor — but Moore also puts in endless hours working to get anyone with a disability on the water.

“We want to create more fully accessible marine facilities and to support water sports for everybody through Access to Outdoors,” he said.

What exactly is the goal right now?

“Creating non-motorized kayak launches, and achieving swimming access for people using wheeled mobility devices like wheelchairs,” Moore said. “We also want to grow our accessible sailing and kayak program.”

He can relate to the people he’s helping, too, as Moore fights disabilities himself.

Moore was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child and didn’t read until he was 14. A disease called otosclerosis has left him hearing-impaired despite several surgeries. He’s suffered multiple knee injuries, and has been diagnosed as bipolar.

A water-sports enthusiast all his life who grew up on the ocean in Westport, Wash., Moore knows very well how someone with a disability might be denied the fun of sailing or swimming.

And if the problem is simply lack of access, Moore sees that as something that needs to be remedied.

“We have these beautiful lakes and beaches in the area,” Moore said. “But we truly need to provide proper access for everyone, including the disabled and people who need wheelchairs.

“It does no good to teach persons with disabilities to sail and kayak if there are no accessible places to launch. That was a big complaint of my friends and clients with disabilities.”

Moore is hoping to find funding help from companies, individuals, anyone with a desire to see what Moore believes is simply a fair opportunity for the disabled to enjoy marine sports with the same joy as everyone else.

If you want to help, learn more about the Access to Outdoors program by contacting Miles Moore via email at [email protected] — or phone (208) 704-4454.