Primary Club Sends Blind Children Out To Sea

Grant enables The Island Trust to fund special sailing courses

The Island Trust, the sailing charity for disadvantaged young people, is using its Primary Club grant to fund three specially adapted sailing courses this year.

Approximately 40 blind and visually impaired children aged between 12-14 will be able to experience life at sea, some learning new skills and others building on those gained on previous sailing expeditions, to further their self development and most importantly have fun!

The Queen Alexandra College in Birmingham and the Joseph Clarke School in London will be spending several days in the Salcombe Estuary living on Egremont, a converted Mersey ferry, this summer. The West of England School and College for young people with no little or no sight in Exeter will be sailing as part of a stay at The Calvert Trust in North Devon. This facility is equipped not only for sailing but a whole host of activities such as horseriding, climbing and swimming. As many blind and visually children often have other disabilities, this facility is kitted out with hoists to enable children in wheelchairs to take part.

"The children have a tremendous time," said Dick Lloyd, MBE, trustee at The Island Trust. "But it’s not just about sailing – it’s a chance to uncover new talents, foster independence and nurture all-important confidence. Each child that attends one of our sailing courses receives a certificate as a mark of their achievement. However, it isn’t easy taking blind and visually impaired children out sailing – the potential hazards are numerous, requiring specialist care and equipment – meaning that these sailing courses would be too costly to run without support. Help from charities such as The Primary Club enables us to make it happen."

"We’ve been supporting The Island Trust for the past four years," added Robert Fleming, chairman of The Primary Club. "And every year the photographs show the children thoroughly enjoying themselves whilst learning. The work of The Island Trust is invaluable in making it possible for children to do something that to many may seem out of reach. We’re looking forward to working together with The Island Trust on similar projects in the future, to help more children find their sea legs and in the process grow into confident active young adults."