RYA Sailability Trust News (full text)

The Summer newsletter Foghorn 2008

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Ali runs for the Grafham Water Sailability

This year was the third time Alison Butler chose to take part in the Great East Anlia 10k Run - and now she can tell us all about it.

Download the pdf file to read the whole article.

16 year old,Jack Daly,raising money for RYA Sailability

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Jack Daly, 16, is a keen sailor who helps out with the RYA Sailability group at Westbere Sailing club. Through this work Jack has been has inspired to raise funds for the charity by sailing around the UK single handed in his Corribbe MK 11 'Padiwak'. He is a firm believer that everyone, if possible, should be able to experience the fun of sailing.

The challenge will start as soon as GCSE's are over in the summer. Jack has chosen a Corribee, renowned for sea keeping capabilties and traditional yacht characteristics, to take him on his 10 week challenge. He plans to sail for a maximum of seven hours each day overnighting in marinas and safe anchorages whenever possible.

Various sponsorships have already been secured, mainly from equipment manufacturers, but Jack is still keen to talk to anyone else who can help. If enough sponsorship is raised it means donations can go straight to RYA Sailability.

Jack adds -

'RYA Sailability is a really amazing organisation. I have been to several centres and always found a team of enthusiastic, dedicated people who are there to help disabled people enjoy sailing. I love seeing the smiles on people's faces when they experience the freedom of sailing for the first time. The more people I can help to achieve this the better.'

To find out more and how to help with Jack's challenge contact jack@sail-the-dream.co.uk

Challenger transition squad head for World Championships

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Challenger transition squad are travelling to Cascais near Lisbon, Portugal, for the Word Championships where all eight of the squad are predicted to achieve great results. The squad are a talented team of sailors. selected from the front end of the Challenger and Access fleets from various RYA Sailabilty groups around the country.

The current squad includes -

Graham Hall, Val Millward, John Draper, Luke Barbanneau, Elizabeth Eaton, David Morse, Andys Smith and Ann Lewis. Other sailors may be selected after the Championships subject to results.

The squad, who make up the pre paralympic team, will train extensively with RYA coach George Barker. A sea experience race training weekend at Calshot, is planned for the end of May where the squad will be joined by other disabled sailors who already compete at a national level. George is also running race training the week preceeding the Worlds where the greatest number of British boats with disabled sailors will be attending.

Sailors in the transition squad are taking part in many fund and awareness raising events during the summer months. For more information contact morna.hughes@ryasailability.org

LaserPerformance donate �22,000 to RYA Sailability

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

David Graham of LaserPerformance presented Pat Dodd, Chair of the RYA Sailability with a cheque for £22,041.63 at the London Boat Show. LaserPerformance has been a committed sponsor and supporter of the charity since 2006 donating equipment for raffles and auctions and organising sponsored events. This latest donation is a combination of money raised, by staff, through a sponsored rowing event and raffle ticket sales at last years Southampton Boat Show where LaserPerformance donated a Laser Bahia as first prize.

Pat was joined by Peter Gray and Robyn Griffith-Jones both trustees of the charity and long term supporter Geoff Holt, the first disabled sailor to complete a solo circumnavigation of the UK.

Pat Dodd commented:

'Laser's support is crucial to RYA Sailability. Last year we helped more than 20,000 disabled sailors, at over 150 sites, get on the water. We could not do this without the support that Laser and their staff give us.'

Inspirational RYA Sailability dinner raises �16,000

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

A gala dinner held at the Royal Southern Yacht Club in honour of Geoff Holt in November raised over £16,000 to help get disabled people sailing. The black tie event, organized by RYA Sailability, celebrated his achievement as the first disabled sailor to complete a solo circumnavigation of the UK. Over 100 guests enjoyed dinner with a motivating after dinner speech from Geoff followed by an auction and live music. This is a busy time for the charity with the recent appointment of four new trustees joining the Board to focus on fund raising and development. The venue was kindly donated by the Yacht Club where the evening began with a champagne reception offered by Sunseeker. Other sponsors donated generous prizes including a VIP experience at Goodwood Festival of Speed, a tour of Coutt’s archives, a night at the Crab and Lobster and a Laser Pico. Local photographer, Brendon Hughes, captured the evening donating a percentage of the proceeds from photograph sales to RYA Sailability.

Pat Dodd, Chairman, commented: ‘Many thanks go to the friends of RYA Sailability who supported this wonderful dinner. All the money raised will go directly to help clubs, individuals and families and buy essential specialized equipment. Thanks also go to Geoff who is undoubtedly one of our best ambassadors inspiring many disabled people around the country.’

Geoff added: ‘Without the support of RYA Sailability my challenge would have been very different. I was touched by my many supporters and am delighted that two of my most dedicated followers started sailing as a result of my trip. They are now avid Challenger sailors enjoying the freedom that sailing brings.’

Pictured below are Trustees Stephen Kemp, back left, with Geoff Holt, Pat Dodd, centre and Robyn Griffith-Jones.

New Trustees join the Board of RYA Sailability

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

  The Board of RYA Sailability, Pat Dodd, Chairman and Robyn Griffith-Jones, has been joined by four new Trustees. The new members, John Crosbie, Stephen Kemp, Peter Ralls and Peter Gray, bring experience in fundraising, grant applications, finance and hands on experience of working with disabled sailors. All are keen sailors and see this new opportunity as a chance to expand the fundraising work of the charity. The boost to the Board comes at an exciting time for the charity with over 20,000 disabled people getting out on the water this year helped by over 12,000 volunteers in 250 sailing clubs around the UK.

John Crosbie has been involved with RYA Sailability since 1992. He is currently a director of the Calvert Trust involved with a variety outdoor activities for disabled people. John is a highly experienced sailor and RYA coach and has worked with disabled people for over 15 years.

Stephen Kemp has worked in the financial world for over 13 years and is now a banker with Coutts. He is a keen sailor involved in both cruising and offshore racing. He became aware of the charity when a family member lost their sight and is keen to bring his financial expertise to the table.

Peter Gray, soon to retire as Chief Executive of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution, has worked with a variety of charities for over 12 years on fundraising, strategic direction and securing grants. He is a keen sailor and by joining the Board of RYA Sailability hopes to help more disabled people get out on the water.

Peter Ralls QC is a practising barrister of 35 years experience and for seven years until December 2006 was Chair of the Cowes Combined Clubs responsible for management of Cowes Week. He is keen to use his past experience to benefit the charity.

Pictured below are, from left to right, John Crosbie, Stephen Kemp, Pat Dodd, Robyn Griffith-Jones and Peter Gray. Peter Ralls QC is not pictured

RYA SAILABILITY REGATTA 2007

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The fourth RYA Sailability regatta was held on 10 October raising over £7000 for the charity. The fleet, made up of 11 identical Sunsail Sunfast 37s, battled it out in the Solent for first place. This year’s competitors included loyal teams and some newcomers including Ernst and Young and London Corinthian Sailing Club. The RYA Sailability boat was skippered by Andy Cassell and crewed by a combination of able and disabled sailors. The aim of the regatta is not only to raise vital funds but also awareness of the charity.

The fleet left Port Solent in cloud and light rain but by lunchtime the sun had appeared to make the day even more enjoyable. Three races were run in light northerly winds increasing at times to give gusty conditions. Experience and skills of the crews varied with some novices enjoying their first racing experience. Harry Dodd helmed the winning boat for HP Investments, with Ted Roose leading Itchenor Sailing Club to second place. London Corinthian Sailing Club secured third place skippered by John Cronk.

The regatta was kindly supported by Sunsail, the RYA and the British Marine Federation. Thanks also go to Hyde Sails who donated bags and T-shirts as prizes and Warwick Bookman who accompanied the fleet taking pictures of the racing which can be viewed at www.ryasailability.org.uk the charity’s new website.

Will Bridger, skipper of the Ernst and Young boat commented

“This is the first time we have taken part in the RYA Sailability regatta - it’s a great team building event and our crew had a really good day. We are delighted to help raise funds for such a worthwhile cause and help to get more disabled sailors enjoying the liberating sport of sailing. We will definitely be back next year!”

A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY…….
Next years RYA Sailability Regatta is Wednesday October 8th. Contact donate@ryasailability.org.uk for further details and to register your entry!

2007 RESULTS

1st place - HP Investments
2nd place - Itchenor Sailing Club
3rd place - London Corinthian Sailing Club
4th place - Flying Fifteen Association
5th place - Ian Owen and crew
6th place - RYA Sailability
7th place - Tops'l Sailing
8th place - Tenon group
9th place - Tops'l Sailing
10th place - Ernst & Young
11th place - Smart Futures

pictures below taken by Warwick Bookman tel 07768 125252

Foghorn Newsletter Autumn 2007

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Foghorn is the quarterly Newsletter for RYA Sailability. Click below to find
out about the latest events and news from around the country.

Geoff Holt supports RYA Sailability

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

RYA SAILABILITY, the charity that gets disabled people sailing, is exhibiting on stand B517 at the Southampton Boatshow 2007. This is the first time the charity has secured an independent stand dedicated to promoting sailing to disabled people. Visitors to the stand can meet volunteers and sailors to find out all about RYA Sailability and how to get involved.

Geoff Holt, who recently returned from his trip as the first disabled sailor to complete a solo circumnavigation of the UK, will be on hand to talk about the challenges of sailing for disabled people. His Challenger ‘Freethinker’ will also be on the stand for everyone to see as they hear about his inspirational voyage during which he raised money for RYA Sailability.

RYA Sailability, is also running a Prize draw raffle during the show. Prizes are a brand new Laser Bahia donated by Laser and a Crystal holiday. West Quay shopping centre in Southampton has chosen RYA Sailability as their charity of the year and will be displaying the Laser Bahia during the show. Tickets for the raffle are just £2 on sale on the stand, on the RYA stand E052, Laser stand E042 and at West Quay shopping centre.

Geoff comments

‘Everyone involved with RYA Sailability works tirelessly to make disability plain sailing. I am delighted to be involved with this year’s show to help more disabled sailors experience the same exhilaration, enjoyment and confidence felt by able bodied sailors.’

Chair of Trustees, Pat Dodd adds

‘Geoff is an inspiration to us all. He has done so much to raise awareness of disabled sailing across many communities around the country. We couldn’t have a better ambassador for our charity.’

Quote for photo below
Geoff Holt and sponsor Peter Harrison at the launch of the RYA Sailability stand at Southampton Boat show. - Thank you to ON Edition photography for the picture.

Laser on board with RYA Sailability

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Keen 71-year-old sailor, Ken Bolland, from Essex, has won the jackpot at the Dinghy Sailing Show at Alexandra Palace after picking the winning raffle ticket for a brand new Pico donated to RYA Sailability by Laser.

Ken bought the ticket as he was leaving the show to show his support for the charity which helps people with disabilities enjoy sailing, and says he cannot believe his luck: “I am thrilled to have won the boat – and so is my 10-year-old grand daughter who will be sailing it at our local club at Alton Water.”

Nearly 1,000 tickets were sold over the weekend at the world’s largest dinghy show by a team of dedicated volunteers like Dennis Keefe, who has helped disabled children to sail at his local club in Desborough for the past three years.

Laser also donated a brand new standard 07 laser for another prize competition when buyers of just 250 limited edition rash vests sold by Gill, Laser and Dinghy Sailing magazine were automatically entered into a draw to win the race spec Laser. Half the price of £20 per vest went to RYA Sailability.

“Laser’s superb ongoing support of RYA Sailability continues to boost fundraising and raise awareness of our work – their exciting prizes really created a buzz at the show,” commented Debbie Blachford, manager of RYA Sailability.