QEGS pupil Annie all set for bungee jump after helping less-abled kids to enjoy sailing thrills
A QUEEN Elizabeth’s Grammar School student who has been taking to the water with a sailing charity to progress in her silver Duke of Edinburgh Award is about to take on a 160ft bungee jump to raise money for the charity.
Annie Whitehouse, 16, has been volunteering with Sailability at Carsington Water, helping less-abled children and adults enjoy the thrill of sailing and she now wants to raise at least £750 to help the charity buy safety equipment to help more people get on board.
She has already amassed hundreds of pounds from online sponsors, and is rapidly approaching her target as she starts to mentally prepare for her jump, at Salford Quays in Manchester, on Saturday.
Annie said: “Completing my Duke of Edinburgh Award with QEGS has been one of the best things that I have done over the course of my school years.
“I have completed my bronze award, and am currently finishing off my silver, with the aim to soon beginning work towards my gold award.
“For my volunteering section I have volunteered for over six months with Carsington Sailability. My time spent with them has grown me into someone that I never knew I was, and has even confirmed my desire to pursue a career, perhaps in the NHS even as a doctor.
“I have loved working with our guests each week, forming relationships with them and helping them to enjoy a hobby on the water where they aren’t limited by their health conditions.
“I hugely enjoyed hearing the positive impact that my volunteering had made to these people’s lives and have loved becoming part of the volunteering team, who give so much of their time to share their love of sailing with others.
“Volunteering with Sailability has also hugely increased my confidence, as I have learnt to interact and become friends with a huge variety of new people. Never did I imagine when I started this process that I would feel motivated to or have the confidence to jump off a crane to raise money for a charity.”
The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme dates back to 1956 and sets out to challenge students to contribute to their community, and to test personal skills in a developmental way growing their confidence and capabilities.
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School is one of the largest licensed providers of the scheme in the East Midlands, with almost half of the Green Road school’s year nine students participating in a bronze award last year.
Duke of Edinburgh leader Katie Watson-jones said: “Doing their Dofe is a brilliant way for your young person to discover just how much they are capable of. It gives young people the chance to make new friends, follow their passions, learn new skills and make a difference in our community.
“Our students have participated in a range of skills, from coding and cooking to calligraphy and care of animals and practised a wide variety of physical activities from horse riding and hockey, to hip hop and handball.
“During her experience Annie has learned a huge amount about disabilities, but also the importance of making water-based activities, such as sailing, accessible for everyone. She has been so inspired by their work that she has decided to do a 160ft bungee jump off a crane in order raise money for such a worthy cause.”
Carsington Sailability has been active for over 25 years and is dedicated to improving the skills and outlook of children and adults with disabilities to enjoy outdoor spaces near or on the water, from sailing to powerboating.
There are ambitions for Sailability to continue moving forward, already including trips to other clubs and to coastal waters, undeterred by the challenges of the pandemic.
Trustee Richard Huckler said: “Sailability is underpinned in its curricula by the Royal Yachting Association and Annie’s involvement has been immense in only six months or so.
“Even she would admit that she began as a slightly awkward teenager but proved herself to be a listener, observant, helpful and thoughtful in getting close to the outlook and remit of the sailing club and those it serves.
“In those few short months with Sailability she has literally learnt the ropes, learnt how to launch, found her way on the water both accompanied and on her own, and was a terrific contributor for some of the calendar events during the spring and summer. Annie’s confidence has grown immeasurably such that she is now very much part of a sailing community that embraces people suffering their disabilities in a very wide-ranging way.”
To find out more or to sponsor Annie, visit www.justgiving.com and search for Annie Whitehouse.