Legacy at WPNSA – The Chesil Trust Programme
T
he Chesil Sailing Trust is an independent charity dedicated to helping young or disabled people experience water sports, especially sailing and windsurfing. It raises and provides the funds for specialist operators to put on a range of programmes and projects. The most well known programme are taster sessions, called ‘The Rod Shipley Sail for a Fiver Scheme’, with those showing enthusiasm or promise assisted to go on to gain further experience or qualifications. Over the last 13 years, the Chesil Sailing Trust has helped around 20000 children and young people to participate in the initial ‘Sail fora Fiver’ introductory course, many of whom went on to further develop their skills in the certificated RYA Level 1 & 2 continuation courses.
“The legacy programme is a key element to Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy’s philosophy,” Ben Ainslie said. “We are committed to helping less privileged Dorset children try water sports at the venue and continue to support them through to racing events. A Sail for a Fiver child today may be a future medal winner and it is our job to ensure this opportunity is given to the young people and people with disabilities’. The Chesil Sailing Trust relies entirely on voluntary contributions for its funding. Much more information can be found on the Trust’s website www.chesiltrust.org.uk If you can help, please contact: Tom Grainger, c/o Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Osprey Quay, Portland, Dorset, DT5 1SA or email: clerk@chesiltrust.org.uk
The programme from 2013 onwards has been kindly sponsored by Mrs Shipley in memory of her late husband, Rod Shipley. Other programmes financed by the Trust include a Rod Shipley Windsurf for a Fiver Scheme, apprenticeship schemes in sailing and windsurfing, bursary schemes for the most promising participants in the Sail for a Fiver scheme, sailing for young people on a restored Junk through a partnership with the Boleh Trust and Tall ship sailing through the Trinty Sailing Foundation. The Chesil Sailing Trust has helped establish the independent charity Chesil Sailability - an Olympic Legacy supporting sailors who are disabled. Previous programmes have provided money for underprivileged children from East London schools to gain experience of teamwork and sailing on the TS Pelican and using Health Legacy providing a programme of sailing instruction and experience to children at risk of developing future health problems. Legends such as Sir Ben Ainslie, Sarah Dempsey and Iain Percy have all trained at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy and understand the importance of inspiring new generations into the sport of sailing.
www.wpnsa.org.uk
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