NEW WIND IN THE SAILS OF YOUTH CHARITY
The Tall Ships Trust – rejuvenated under former Rear Admiral Richard Leaman – is providing crucial life skills for our most disadvantaged youngsters... but needs donors to push the boat out
now is for the future operational strategy and his plan to expand the fleet again with the purchase of a schooner once funds can be raised.
“We recognise now that a lot of our work needs to be done in collaboration with other youth development charities. Previously we’d believed we were a singleshot solution, a silver bullet, but we know now that we are simply one part of a young person’s broader development needs.
“To try to deal with some of these young people’s lives is not going to be solved just by a week in a yacht – it’s a massive adrenaline shot for them and for over half it is a life-changing experience.
“But about 40 per cent need continuing support after the event because they go back into the gang, or to a single parent home, or they have other social or educational needs that we simply can’t fulfil.
“Our focus is now much more intensely on young people and we are targeting a well-defined group which we believe we can serve better this way. There are 800,000 potential beneficiaries out there
SANTO’S STORY
confidence and selfesteem. He has learned that although he is autistic this won’t stop him from achieving – he just has to work harder. “Now he lives and breathes for the next voyage and is eager to learn how to skipper his own boat one day. His dream now is to sail around the world.” so our task is immense! We are really keen to reconnect with our volunteers, both voyagers and fundraisers, because without more of them giving their invaluable assistance we’ll find it much harder to grow over the coming years.
“I’d also like to appeal to everyone who’s sailed with us in the past to get in touch with your stories and tell us your lifechanging moment. There are thousands of uplifting stories out there which will inspire other young people and also help us to enlist more much-needed volunteers and encourage regular donations to the charity. The most inspiring story will win a memorable sailing trip to the Canaries on a Challenger yacht.” If you have a story please email memories@tallships.org
To help give more young people life-changing experiences please send donations to Tall Ships, 2a The Hard, Portsmouth, PO1 3PR. Text SAIL46 £5 to 70070 and the donation will be added to your phone bill. Or donate online at tallships.org
ANDREW’S STORY
ANDREW NORTHALL had lost hope at 17 because for two years he had no job and wasn’t in training. Then he went on a voyage and it turned his life around: “I first sailed from Tenerife to the UK and absolutely loved it,” says Andrew, 23. “I learnt loads of life skills – cooking, cleaning, working as a team and of course how to sail a boat! As soon I went home I got my first job to save up money to sail with the trust as a watch leader. After two years I worked my way up to mate and sail full time, helping other young people.”