RALPHH GIFT GOES ALL AT SEA

Participating in sport for disabled people would not necessarily put sailing at the top of the list, but RALPHH’s latest partnership with the Disabled Sailing Association has highlighted the value of such opportunities.

With up to two yachts based at Torquay Harbour, the Association has some 15,000 members who pay a modest annual membership fee of £30 which gives them the opportunity to sail with able-bodied volunteers around the coastline of Torquay and Teignmouth, as well as an occasional overnight trip to Salcombe. 

Recognising that heart and circulatory problems can occur just as much on sea as on the land, the Association contacted the Robert Allen Life Promotion and Healthy Hearts Trust (RALPHH) to request the gift of a defibrillator which, for most of the year, will be kept on board the yacht Freedom. 

“I am so glad that we have been able to help a fellow charity,” said Richard Allen, Chairman of RALPHH. “Access to sport is increasingly recognised as vital for all type of disability and it is pleasing to report that our charity has been able to help three organisations taking care of the sporting needs of the disabled since our formation in 2019.”

Each sailing of Freedom involves four or five disabled members supported by three crew. The number of trips increases in the summer months when, additional to day trips, there are evening cruises around the bay. Five of the able-bodied volunteers are qualified skippers and the DSA is also proud to be a Royal Yachting Association training centre, allowing both volunteers and the members to improve their skills and gain qualifications.

A recent grant from the National Lottery means that the Disabled Sailing Association has been able to purchase a second new yacht that will arrive this coming July. This has been purchased at a cost of £240,000, with £100,000 coming from the Lottery. With the cost of £10,000 per year for keeping each boat on the water, the Association works on tight funding, but the membership is growing and includes those from as far away as Manchester and London.  

Pictured with Freedom at its mooring on board are Skipper Mick Jennings; Mate, Jerome Sucret; Crew member Jane Nicholls; and Disabled Sailing Association Chair Sally Musgrove alongside members ready to set sail. Making the presentation on the walk way to Anne-Marie Russ, DSA Director with responsibility for fund-raising is Richard Allen, Chairman of RALPHH.