MANX LOTTERY TRUST SUPPORTS THE MANX SAILING AND CRUISING CLUB’S TRAINING PROJECT

The Manx Sailing and Cruising Club’s (MS&CC) Royal Yachting Association Registered Training Centre (RTC), has been awarded a grant of £20,000 from the Manx Lottery Trust for the purchase of two new RS Quest dinghies to support its students, including those with various levels and types of disability.

The MS&CC provides dinghy sailing and powerboat handling tuition for individuals aged 10 and over. The Club was established in the Island over 40 years ago, with hundreds of students learning to sail at their Ramsey-based training centre. The Club provides tuition for varying levels of abilities, under the supervision of a number of Royal Yachting Association (RYA) qualified volunteers. As well as teaching the mechanics of dinghy sailing, courses seek to instil self-reliance and self-discipline in students, while developing their leadership and risk management skills and ability to work well in a team.

In 2021, the Club provided 45 student places and looks to exceed this number in 2022 and beyond. The grant has supported the purchase of two new larger dinghies, which will enable the organisation to accommodate larger groups and trainees with varying levels of disability and will be suitable for both adult and youth training.

Jerry Colman, Vice Commodore of the MS&CC, commented: ‘There are many reasons people want or need to learn how to sail. Students come to us with varying levels of ability; many looking to advance their careers, others looking to take up a new hobby or improve their life skills.

‘The Manx Lottery Trust grant has allowed us to enhance our existing fleet, but it will also provide our students, which come from a diversity of backgrounds, to thrive in a safe and enjoyable environment that will allow them to rise above their worries and benefit from the pure enjoyment that sailing brings.’

Sarah Kelly, Chairman of Manx Lottery Trust, added: ‘The purchase of two new dinghies will only serve to enhance the already incredible support that the MS&CC provides its students. The Trust is delighted to be supporting this worthwhile project.’

This grant is from Manx Lottery Trust’s Community Awards Programme. Manx Lottery Trust has been delegated to distribute National Lottery money from The National Lottery Community Fund. To find out more, visit: www.mlt.org.im/