Sailing club makes a splash with Charity Commission
VOLUNTEERS at Carsington Sailability Club have led the club to a major milestone, after being granted full charitable status.
It means the club, which provides water-based activities, training and qualifications for the less able, has become a newly-registered charity – in a year which has also seen its host Carsington Sailing Club celebrate its 25th Anniversary, while the reservoir itself celebrated 30 years since opening.
The club says this new status – granted by the Charity Commission – will help unlock new funding opportunities as it can appeal to community and commercial organisations for grants and sponsorship, and enjoy tax exemptions and relief.
The newly named Carsington Sailability Trust was launched officially to a large audience of interested parties.
Trust chairman Richard Mollart thanked all those who contributed to, and guided, the process to this
successful outcome.
He said: “The Sailability Trust is now able to advertise for, and appoint, a specialist volunteer fundraiser, as well as seek to appoint more trustees to the existing six to
steer the organisation safely through what lies ahead.
“Part of their remit will be the retention and expansion of the existing membership as well as to expand the network of reliable and skilled volunteers who enable people with disabilities to find fun and fulfilment on Carsington Water itself.”
To achieve the status, the club sought guidance from consultations in a range of local groups such as the Rotary Club, Accessible Derbyshire and the Harley Jae Trust.
Among its users are Ashbourne
Parkinsons Group, which visits twice a year, Amber Valley Stroke Group and the charity Limbless Veterans.
The clubs were all represented at a recent launch event at the sailing club, at which everyone present was able to enjoy drinks and homemade cakes from the trustees and their family members.
The trust is now actively seeking people who want to get involved, and volunteers can gain qualifications for RYA Sailability training, using a fleet of adapted boats and training rooms.
The trust’s official aim is to provide waterbased activities at Carsington and the surrounding area for people with disabilities and mental health conditions in the interest of social welfare, and with the object of improving the conditions of their life.
To find out more, call Carsington Sailing Club on 01629 540609.