Flying to make a difference

Creating opportunities for individuals with amputees and other disabilities to compete in sail racing and develop independence through sail racing with and against abled crews. Donate to the Andrew Cassell Foundation

Your donation empowers the Andrew Cassell Foundation's mission: enabling disabled individuals to race sailboats independently with and against abled crews. Just £300 funds a session with a coach for 4-6 participants, expanding our reach and reducing barriers. Help turn the tide for more disabled people. Your giving transforms lives - on and off the water. Please donate now.

Why I’m fundraising for the Andrew Cassell Foundation?

Joining the Andrew Cassell Foundation brought a new dimension to my sailing experience. It gives a reason for going out every day… it’s one big effort. Then you can come in to the club – and bond with new friends.

To be on the cusp of being employed to go out and teach sailing is… I mean, I never thought that would ever happen. With unwavering support and a rekindled sense of purpose, I look forward to a future where I can inspire others through my passion for sailing within ACF and further afield.

How i‘m going to achieve the goal.

With the support of the Andrew Cassell Foundation (ACF), I have chosen to invest in a High Performance Foiling Moth, with the aim to compete at in a National Championships being the first single above knee amputee to do so.

ACF is supporting my development with on water coaching, safety cover and mentoring with the aim of competing in the 2025 Class National Championships.

Challenges along the way.

Being a single leg amputee its really hard for me to get going, I have to remove my prosthetic leg and use crutches which takes up both of my hands. I’m then unable to launch and recover the boat, thus need help along the way both on dry land and in the water whilst i get it to a stage I can get in and going.

Lifting and transporting the boat is not easy with one leg even though I get help.

Whilst learning to foil I also certainly need the safety cover and coaching support to enable me to achieve this goal.

My Background.

Having lost my leg in a sailing accident when only 10 years old. Sailing was the part of my life that kept me going and I continued to develop in high performance sailing boats until around 2020. 

Having lost a bit of that spark due to opportunities dwindling as I got older, I fell away from the sport until I met with the Andrew Cassell Foundation who have opened up so many opportunities for me like this.

To read more on my story please click on this link - https://acfsailing.org/2024/07/a-return-to-the-water-with-the-andrew-cassell-foundation/

What will these funds help?

Your generous donation will empower the Andrew Cassell Foundation support disabled individuals journey to maximum independence in sailing. Open to all water lovers, including those with the most serious physical and sensory disabilities, the Foundation's impact is remarkable.

By supporting the Foundation, you enable them to reach new participants and continue their life-changing work. £300 funds a specialist coach for one day which benefiting 4-6 participants. Your contribution directly transforms lives. 

Your donation not only supports the Foundation's current efforts but also helps pave the way for a more accessible and inclusive future in water sports. 

As a volunteer and a participant of the charity, these funds also help me be competent and able to compete in the foiling Moth Class.

Join us in bringing activity closer to participants and breaking down barriers. Donate today to empower more individuals to navigate the waters of independence.

Message from Matt - ACF Director

Supporting Laurence on this journey is not just about getting an individual to achieve a personal goal but to develop him to gain greater skills and enabling him to pass on what he learns to others.

Having never been formally coached himself and self-taught through friends, coaching Laurence will help give him skill sets which he can use himself when skippering and coaching back in the Soars with ACF. Also potentially giving this same opportunity to others through fundraising.

He has also taken up a huge personal cost to get this going with the boat investment and developments and thus he has the perfect attitude to achieve his goals.

Thank you.