News - 2017

11:54 Monday 31 Jul 2017 Sue Pelling/LCWFlying the flag for the Andrew Simpson Foundation

Andrew Simpson Foundation founding trustee Iain Percy OBE on the Royal Yacht Squadron platform earlier today – photo Tom Gruitt/LCW

The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation (ASF) as the new Official Event Charity is already attracting plenty of support here at Lendy Cowes Week today.

As is customary on Charity Day, the official event charity not only aims to raise funds but also gives competitors and visitors to the Island an opportunity to learn more about what the charity stands for.

The ASF seeks to honour Andrew’s legacy by using sailing to improve the lives of young people. Through its charitable activities the Foundation helps 1000s of disadvantaged young people get on the water through its fund raising activities. So far since the Foundation's launch in 2013, £736,000 has been raised, and it is hoped to raise another £5000+ during Lendy Cowes Week. 

Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson was 36 years old when he lost his life while training aboard an America’s Cup boat in San Francisco in 2013. Not only was Simpson a talented sailor with an Olympic gold medal to his name, but he was also a loving family man and a regular competitor on the Solent. His close friend and sailing partner, Iain Percy (Founding Trustee and ASF Ambassador) is in Cowes today to help showcase this important charity.

Watch out for ASF activities around Cowes today.

• Cowes Bash – all competitors are automatically entered in Cowes Bash today. The overall winner (calculated from the winners of the 36 classes competing, and  using the Bart’s Bash results system) will be announced at this evening’s Big Bash party at Cowes Yacht Haven. The winning crew of Cowes Bash will receive a fantastic prize package including free entry to next year’s Lendy Cowes Week regatta.
• Simpson Sunnies – all competitors are reminded to purchase a pair of Simpson Sunnies from the ASF stand on Cowes Parade. This is not only a key fund raiser but each purchase provides competitors with an extra chance to win special prizes at the Big Bash this evening.
• Golden Ticket Prize Draw – make sure you purchase a ticket from the ASF stand for your chance of winning one of the many spectacular prizes on offer including his/hers TNG Swiss Watches.
• Discover Sailing – one of the most exciting charity events, running all this week, is the Andrew Simpson Discover Sailing children’s taster session supported by Lendy. This event is for children aged between 8-14. Sign up at the Andrew Simpson Foundation stand on Cowes Parade.
• Gutterboat Racing –  Join in the Gutterboat racing challenge on the ASF stand on Cowes Parade for your chance to win a Sunsail holiday in Grenada. This event is taking place all week, so there is plenty of time to have a go.
• Have a ‘Beer for Bart’ – share a beer with Olympic medallists Iain Percy and Mark Covell at the Cowes Yacht Haven Beer Tent at 1600 today.
• The Big Bash FUNdraising party  – don’t miss the final major charity event of the day – The Big Bash FUNdraising party – which is taking place at Cowes Yacht Haven and presented by Mark Covell at 1900 this evening. Results of the Cowes Bash sailing event today, will also be announced so make sure you are there to collect that potential prize.