Leicestershire Youth Sailing Charity Raise £3000 in Dawn to Dusk Sponsored Sail
Young sailors and their instructors, volunteers and parents from Leicestershire and Rutland youth sailing association (LRYSA) based at Watermead country park sailed from first light at 7.20am until dusk on the 11th of October to raise much needed funds for their charity.
Clara Byford aged 13 who had the idea to run the sponsored sail was the first on the water at 7.20am followed shortly by Thomas Dale 14 both from the Leicestershire youth racing team who are trained and managed by the LRYSA at Watermead. The principal and chairman of the charity Colin Magee was first on the water in a power boat to cover safety along with Clara in her Laser and stayed on the water all day to support the children and members. During the course of the day all the children from the LRYSA were out on the water along with senior citizens from the LRYSA senior sailing, and instructors. A disabled young girl from Ashfield academy who learn to sail during the summer with the LRYSA was out sailing to support the charity.
The club was founded in 1967 focusing on the disadvantaged and the disabled and to this day that is the main aim of the charity. The charity provides all the boats and equipment for their students including special access boats for teaching the disabled both young and older. Maintaining and repairing this equipment and the power boats to ensure safety costs a lot of money, and that is why young Clara suggested they raise the money themselves for repairs over winter.
Colin Magee Chairman of the LRYSA said a big thank you should go to our parents committee for doing most of the organising and planning for the day, especially Katharine Dale who worked tirelessly to make the day happen.
Leicestershire youth sailing based at John Merrick’s Lake Watermead country park near Syston is an inclusive charity dedicated to providing opportunities for local youngsters who may not otherwise have the chance to experience sailing. To find out more visit https://www.lrysa.org.uk
