SAILING FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AT OTLEY

HELP US SUPPORT SAILING FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AT OTLEY SAILING CLUB. WE URGENTLY REQUIRE 2 ADDITIONAL SPECIALIST ACCESS DINGHIES (click Support Us or View to see Rewards)

OVERVIEW

Twice a week, our dedicated team of volunteers provide sailing sessions for local children with disabilities and special educational needs.

We work with specialist schools in the Leeds and Bradford area. Together we enable their pupils to achieve their full potential, through the joys and challenges of sailing. Last year, we provided an astounding  **843** individual sailing sessions in our purpose built  Access Dinghies. Our sailing sessions are incredibly popular but oversubscribed.

HOW WE WILL USE YOUR FUNDS

To meet demand, we need to raise £15,000 to buy 2 additional Access’ boats.  Increasing our fleet from 10 to 12 boats will ensure that EVERY child attending our Sailability sessions experiences the thrill and freedom of sailing on the open water.

Sport England recognises the benefits of our programme and we’re excited to announce that they have already  agreed to fund 50% of the project costs.  They’ve pledged £7500, but there is a condition…..

The remaining  £7,500 must be raised from at least 75 supporters, from OUR COMMUNITY for OUR COMMUNITY.

To receive the Sports England contribution, we MUST raise at least £7,500 from at least 75 supporters, on this Crowdfunder, by Christmas – and if we don’t, we keep what's been collected, but get NOTHING from Sports England.

So every penny raised in this campaign will go directly towards purchase of the two Access dinghies. And when we reach our £7500  target, Sports England will double your contributions.

HOW you can help

·         Purchase a Reward 

·         Attend an Event

·         Donate a Prize

Share our Crowdfunder with your friends or colleagues

·         ….just make a Donation

Anything you can do to support inclusive sailing will be really appreciated and make a massive difference to the lives of our young sailors.

Our first Event An Evening With Heather Thomas (Ocean Globe 2023 Winner) is available now on the Rewards section of this web site. (Rewards are to the right on this page, or scroll up to the see the Rewards tab on your phone)

Together, we can do this- and make a HUGE difference!

HOW OUR SAILING PROJECT  IMPROVES LIVES

Our young sailors live with a wide spectrum of conditions ranging from autism through to complex life limiting conditions. Our Sailability programme helps all our young sailors enjoy the present and develop to their full potential.

For some, who will be accompanied by a carer, it's a relaxing calming experience in the open air. Sailing free from the confines of their class room.

For others it's about learning new skills, developing confidence, team working, taking responsibility and progressing towards the world of work and independent living.

It's a life-changing experience for everyone involved 

More about our inclusive work in the community – read on…

We are a volunteer-run sailing club, offering membership to the community for leisure sailing, racing, beginner learning and events; making it a truly inclusive activity.

We are also a charity, with trained people, facilities and a fleet of boats and equipment tailored for disabled and Special Educational Needs (SEN) sailors. We are the LARGEST provider of this volunteer led service in the North of England – yes, here in OTLEY !

Our SailabilityFleet– of 10 Hansa Access dinghies (303 model), are designed specifically for individuals with disabilities or limited mobility. We choose these boats as a safe, stable environment for our sailors to enjoy the adventure of sailing without compromising on the uniquely thrilling feeling of independence sailing can bring to a young learner.  There is a structured scheme and ALL our sailors achieve certification as they progress at their own pace. 

Our support of disability sailing began over thirty years ago as  “Sailfree,” an initiative recognized nationally by the governing body the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) soon after, paving the way for RYA Sailability programmes across the UK.  We are proud of our contribution to the development of inclusive sailing and wish to continue the legacy of our club. 

In addition to our twice weekly RYA Sailability sailing sessions for local schools, we also offer sailing experiences for visiting organisations with members who will benefit from the adaptations we can offer. Recent groups have included BLESMA ( supporting ex service people), Oceans of Hope (supporting individuals with Multiple Sclerosis), and Men’s Sheds (a community support network), The dinghies are also available free of charge to members who will benefit – in our club we have access boat users with a wide range of differing requirements, aged 8 to 80 and beyond!

Last year we provided 80 Group Sailability Sessions, benefiting 100 individual disabled sailors during 843 individual sailing sessions. But our sessions are oversubscribed and  we can do more with more boats. With your help we can make sure that next year, every child attending a session gets the experience they deserve.

Thank you for taking the time to find out more, and for your support . Together we can achieve Miracles

OUR SUPPORTERS