Global yacht charter company, Sunsail has teamed up with sailing charity, the Andrew Simpson Foundation (ASF) to give more children from Portsmouth the chance to get out on the water in 2019.
As part of this new partnership, Sunsail will be giving free access to its fleet and training facilities to help the Foundation to deliver its sail training programme to 125 inner city young people aged 12-15 yrs.
The young people that attend this long-term programme will be provided with the opportunity to learn to sail on the Solent in Sunsail Match First 40s. They will all go through an RYA Start Yachting course and will then be working towards completing RYA Competent Crew and RYA Day Skipper qualifications whilst developing valuable life skills to enhance their employability and career prospects.
Sir Ben Ainslie, says, “It’s fantastic to see the partnership between the Andrew Simpson Foundation and Sunsail come together. There are some real synergies around getting people out on the water and having a good time. The support from Sunsail will really make a big difference to the Foundation in giving many youngsters that chance to get out on the water and enjoy a new aspect of the sport.”
Richard Percy, CEO of the Andrew Simpson Foundation comments, “We’re truly grateful to Sunsail for supporting our Portsmouth Sail Training Trust Programme in 2019. The primary aims of this programme are to raise the aspirations of disadvantaged young people from socially deprived areas of Portsmouth who are at risk of unemployment. This programme will help them to grow their confidence, teamwork and leadership skills whilst gaining valuable qualifications. Sunsail’s generosity will enable 125 young people participating in the programme to attend an RYA Start Yachting course as part of our wider sail training programme and will provide them with the opportunity to further develop maritime and personal skills and gain access to employment in the watersports industry or a career at sea.”
Simon Boulding, Events Director for Sunsail says, “Sunsail can trace its roots back to the Portsmouth area for more than 40 years. To be able to support the Andrew Simpson Foundation give Portsmouth teenagers the chance to experience sailing for the first time is fantastic and we hope it leads to sailing careers and a lifelong enjoyment of sailing for many of them. We’re really proud to support the Andrew Simpson Foundation and can’t wait for our Sunsail fleet to be put through their paces by the new crews.
For further information about Sunsail visit www.sunsail.co.uk
For further information about the Andrew Simpson Foundation visit www.andrewsimpsonfoundation.org