International charity supports sailing centre

The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation is delighted to announce its grant of £6,000 to the All-aboard Sailing Project which is run by Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre in Plymouth, in partnership with Wheels on Water (WOW) sailing club and Woodlands Special School.

The Project focuses on young people between eight and nineteen years old living in Plymouth that have moderate to severe physical disabilities. It aims to increase participation in the sport of sailing by providing regular sailing sessions during term time and school holidays, increase provision for after-school sailing by subsidising sessions with WOW, and train WOW’s volunteer base, enabling more disabled young people to sail with WOW.

Following a rigorous selection process the Mount Batten Centre project was identified by the Trustees of the Foundation as one that truly reflects the aims and objectives of the Foundation, transforming children and young people’s lives through sailing.

Water sports and Activities manager for the Mount Batten Centre, Sam Waites, commented “We're thrilled to be have been successful in this bid. The grant will enable Plymouth children who are physically disabled or who have Special Educational Needs to enjoy the fantastic sport of sailing in their own community. Plymouth has been host to world renowned sailing events over the years, including the Americas Cup and, with the hard work, support and generosity of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, young people, regardless of disability or impairment, will have more access to on-water activities. This announcement comes just a couple of months after the Centre's successful application to become a charity, and we hope this will be the start of further successful grants for the development of sailing activities”

A second round of grant giving from the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation is to be announced over the next few months and once again will be open to all not for profit sailing projects and community sailing programmes worldwide.