Press Release- 07/11/07- Lottery Funding
People who have a disability and are from the West of Scotland are getting the chance to take to the seas thanks to a lottery grant. Able2Sail are a volunteer run charity based out of Inverkip Marina who provide free sailing to anyone affected by disability and their families. They have been given a £113,000 boost from The Big Lottery Fund- which, along with donations from a number of other charities including Spifox and The Robertson Trust, has raised a total fund of £175,000. This will enable them to buy a high specification yacht to offer even more people the thrill of a lifetime on the ocean wave.
Chairwoman Gerry Campbell said “We can’t express how much receiving these grants means to us. “We have chartered boats for the past two seasons so having our own will be unbelievably good. It’s fantastic”. The charity was set up three years ago by a group of sailing fans who were interested in sharing their passion and knowledge with others. With the help of their new yacht, a 46ft Bavaria, they aim to get around 150 people? on the water between May and September- sailing around the Clyde Estuary.
As long as the person has upper body strength- sometimes with the help of a specially designed hoist- they can enjoy the experience. Some are thrilled to be able to pull up the sail, steer the boat and plot the route.
One of the people to benefit is 15-year old Kieran Johnstone from Linwood who is counting the days until he can get back on the water. The pupil of St Benedict ’s High School in Linwood has disabilities including cerebral palsy and spina bifida. Kieran spent a day with Able2Sail in August and took granddad Ian Johnstone, 64, along with him. Kieran said: “I felt like a normal person. I got to steer the boat. It was amazing”. “Sailing interested me before but it was a dream come true when I got to go”.
This year the charity plans to get able-bodied young people involved by offering training in mentoring and sailing. They are also always looking for volunteers and support. Sailing experience is not essential.
For more information visit www.able2sail.org.uk.
