Dive Project Cornwall CIC

Aim

Our vision; eliminate plastic pollution, protect the marine environment, save all life in our oceans for future generations to enjoy cherish

WHAT IS DIVE PROJECT CORNWALL?

“Wouldn’t it be amazing if more young people could explore beneath the waves, see how beautiful the incredible underwater world really is and understand why the marine environment is so very, very important?”

I’m Andy Forster and I’ve always been enthusiastic about marine conservation, the ocean and the life within it. As a keen scuba diver and PADI-qualified dive instructor I have a vision to create an opportunity for school children across the UK to come to Cornwall and experience the ocean first hand – something they may never otherwise get the opportunity to realise. Here they can learn why it’s vital to protect our natural marine life.

Through exploration of our oceans DIVE PROJECT CORNWALL starts in the classroom and finishes on the beach. We have partnered with the Marine Conservation Society and are already delivering a unique EDUCATION programme to hundreds of thousands of young people directly into schools across the UK, raising the awareness of the importance of the planet's marine ENVIRONMENT and its vital role in our very own existence.

A LIFE-CHANGING COMPETITION FOR SCHOOLS

At the heart of DIVE PROJECT CORNWALL is a life-changing competition for 400 lucky teenagers to win the EXPERIENCE they will never forget: a 6-day trip to Cornwall where they will not only learn to scuba dive and learn from leading marine industry experts, but they will get to fill their lungs with fresh sea air, bonding through beach-related activities and learning new skills and memories to take back home with them.

With 20 winning schools bringing 20 students each, our goal is for these 400 lucky teenagers to leave Dive Project Cornwall as ‘Ocean Influencers’ with their PADI Open Water Scuba Diving qualification and they can act positively to engage, inspire and motivate the next generation to save our planet.

We've had an amazing response to the competition with some really inspiring and creative entries submitted.

WHY DO WE NEED YOUR HELP?

The total cost to bring DIVE PROJECT CORNWALL to life is £250,000. And we are nearly there! Through existing partners and sponsors, we have already raised a significant amount and through our Crowdfunding campaign, we are looking to raise £40,000.

Accommodating, feeding, providing training and entertaining 400 kids and their teachers over 20 weeks comes at a cost. We have already raised significant funding through the generosity of over 160 partners, corporate and individual sponsors as well as regional PADI HQ and 20 of their regional Dive Centres, who are supporting the project by working directly with the participating schools. DIVE PROJECT CORNWALL needs to cover the costs for every school that wins to deliver the competition prizes without compromise.

To give you an idea of the costs just for each winning child:

• £150 for accommodation a week
• £50 for food for a week
• £30 for air supply for scuba dive instruction
• £495 for the PADI Open Water Course

Above the costs listed we need dive-kit, tents, cooking equipment, insurance, a team of people (mostly volunteers) to help co-ordinate the activities for each school taking part.

Children are great advocates of adventure and the aim is to create an educational experience that is truly memorable and one they can share and inspire others with. The 400 young people will leave the project as 'Ocean Influencers' and will share their experience with friends and family on their return to the city in which they live.

This truly is a prize worth winning for every school taking part!

HOW YOUR DONATION WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Since the inception of DIVE PROJECT CORNWALL in 2021, like many organisations, we have seen our cost base rise exponentially with increases in almost every provision we are offering. It is vital that we can secure this funding to ensure we deliver DIVE PROJECT CORNWALL without compromise and with no scaling back.

Every donation made through CrowdFunding, will be invested in 400 lucky teenagers across the UK, some of whom have never seen the ocean. Your donation will ensure vital marine conservation knowledge and experience is shared in an informative and engaging way that will help inspire these teens and help turn them into our 'Ocean Influencers' of the future.

Your donation, whatever the amount, will make a big difference to our ocean and support our education programme reaching hundreds of thousands of young people, plus the 400 young people who will go on to be the next ‘Ocean Influencers’, changing attitudes and future-proofing our oceans for generations to cherish and enjoy.

OUR REWARDS

We don't underestimate your generosity in donating to the Dive Project Cornwall Crowdfunder. Your gift, whatever the amount, will help us continue our unique education and experience programme and support our 400 lucky teenagers to learn about marine conservation in an exciting and innovative way.

We have some special 'thank you' gifts to match the donation amount you can offer ranging from stylish, sustainable sunglasses from sponsors Waterhaul, or an Ocean Positive Gulper bottle from our project partners Fourth Element to free issues and money off Cornwall Living Magazine and Drift Magazine.

If you can’t donate right now, you can still help by sharing DIVE PROJECT CORNWALL CrowdFunder with your friends and family and encourage them to make a donation to ensure this initiative becomes the success it deserves.

In anticipation, everyone already involved with DIVE PROJECT CORNWALL thanks you for your support and generosity.

This project successfully funded on 28th June 2022