The winners of MDL’s Sail Training Awards have been selected and the six deserving youngsters who won the opportunity to experience a life changing sailing trip will begin their voyage later this month.
The winners have been carefully selected due to their exceptional accomplishments, or for overcoming adverse personal circumstances. The awards aim to give the youngsters recognition for their efforts and offer them the opportunity to do something extraordinary. Chloe Beavan-Smith, 13, and Daniel Bull, 17, both from Plymouth will join South Coast winners, Zoe Everett-Taylor, 12, from Gosport, Allistair Pollard, 14, from Fordingbridge, Sam John, 14, from Fareham and Lottie Harland, 14, from Reading on the trip.
sailing yacht John Laing
The awards, which have been running for over 20 years, offer young people a week onboard the sailing boat, John Laing, operated by the Ocean Youth Trust. At the beginning of the trip all the youngsters start by getting to grips with health and safety onboard. The six then get the charts out and collectively plot their intended course themselves. They will be involved in all elements of sailing from trimming sails and navigation to duties such as scrubbing down, maintenance and cooking for the rest of the crew.
The boat will leave from Ipswich at MDL’s Woolverstone Marina on Wednesday 24th August and will arrive on Tuesday 30th August at Ocean Village Marina in Southampton. The winners will also attend the PSP Southampton Boat Show next month where they will be presented with a trophy by the owner of MDL Marinas, Lord Iliffe and inspirational yachtsman Geoff Holt, on Tuesday 20th September at MDL’s waterfront stand – E52.
Geoff Holt commented: “I’ve witnessed myself how life-changing it can be for some people if given the opportunity to get afloat, none more so than disadvantaged youngsters. I think the awards are a terrific idea and I wish all of the winners a long and continued relationship with the sea, no matter what level they choose to participate at.”
MDL’s Chief Operating Officer, Jon Eads commented: “Our Sail Training Awards are a very important initiative for us and we have so far helped well over a hundred youngsters to experience something truly exceptional.”
