News - 2014

12:35 Sunday 3 Aug 2014 Sue Pelling/CWLParalympic gold medalist supports UKSA's young sailors' mission

(from left) Danieka Jerram, Amy Tillett and Alice Chambers, with Paralympic gold medallist Helena Lucas.

As the event’s official charity, the UKSA is supporting youth sailing at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. One of the charity’s key aims during the week is to raise enough funds to offer every Year Six primary school child on Island (1,600 children) the opportunity to experience water-based sport.

This week a group of sailors all aged 20, whose lives have been transformed through the UKSA, are racing on the UKSA Farr 65 – Albatross – and supported by UKSA ambassador and Paralympic gold medallist Helena Lucas.

Lucas commented: "I’m proud to be an ambassador for the charity, as it uses sailing and watersports as a catalyst to help young people change – but with that also comes aspiration, motivation and confidence. And it’s those qualities that make the change a more permanent, profound one. I know what it is to feel the buzz of sailing, the adrenaline of the race, the freedom of being out at sea. Being out at sea can be a huge challenge and you have to develop skills to work both individually and as a team. This can make you a more positive, more able person. It gives you confidence, it raises your self-esteem.

“It’s important to get people out on the water and give them that chance in life. That’s why I’m backing UKSA – it’s a fantastic charity and I’m happy to help."

Alice Chambers who got into sailing through the Cowes Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme said had it not been for the UKSA she probably wouldn’t have had the chance to go sailing. Chatting about today’s race, Chambers commented: "In some ways I'm nervous but I'm quite excited as it's my first Cowes Week race. I'm just really pleased I have got the chance to do it."

 Amy Tillett, who trained at the UKSA for two years added: "Racing at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week is a unique opportunity and I'm ready and raring to go and get on with it. It looks like we've got a good day for it."

UKSA fund raising activities are taking place throughout the week. One of the biggest attractions is the Boss Up a Mast, which kicks off today. A selection of sporting bosses including Nick Gill – President of Gill, the official technical clothing sponsor of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week – have agreed to be hoisted up the top of the UKSA’s Farr 65 mast but can’t come down until they have phoned their contacts and raised funds for the charity. Gill commented: “Now is the time when you find out who your friends are! I’m hoping they will all support me so I’ll be let down after not too long. The reason I agreed to be signed up is because I want to do anything to promote youth sailing because it is the future of our sport.”

Email bossupamast@uksa.org to sign up your boss for Boss Up A Mast challenge, or head to the UKSA marquee at Cowes Yacht Haven to take part in the highly competitive, fund-raising Gutter Boat Racing challenge.