Celebrities set sail in support of the RNLI at Cowes

Actors Denise Black, and Oliver and James Phelps set sail in support of the RNLI © Royal National Lifeboat Institution / Paul Cullen

Actors Denise Black, and Oliver and James Phelps, who play George and Fred Weasley in the Harry Potter films, set sail in support of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution – the charity that saves lives at sea – at the Cowes Week regatta yesterday (Wednesday 5 August 2009).

Competing on two of the fleet of ten Open 60 race yachts in the Artemis Challenge, part of Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight, Denise Black was on board Vendee Globe skipper Steve White’s Toe in the Water. While fellow actors James and Oliver Phelps joined round the world yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston aboard his Eco 60 Grey Power.

All yachts competing were racing for a £10,000 prize fund for their nominated charity – donated by Artemis Investment Management.

The winning yacht of the Artemis Challenge, BT IMOCA 60, was skippered by Frenchman Seb Josse, who had pulled in the help of Dame Ellen MacArthur as crew. Dame Ellen’s charity, the Ellen MacArthur Trust which takes young people aged between 8-18 sailing to help them regain their confidence when recovering from cancer, leukaemia and other serious illness, was the beneficiary of the £10,000 prize fund.

Commenting on her participation in the race, actor Denise Black says:

‘I'm a keen sailor and it was an absolute thrill to race with Steve White on his Open 60 Yacht in the Artemis Challenge. Thank you to the RNLI for your work, it was a pleasure to fly the flag for the charity that saves lives at sea, especially as the RNLI is the official charity of Cowes '09.’

Oliver and James Phelps, both sailing novices were delighted to be on board with sailing legend, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, who this year celebrates the 40 year anniversary of his historic solo circumnavigation of the globe and shows no sign of slowing down at the age of 70.

Commenting on their first ever sailing experience James and Oliver Phelps say:

‘It was fantastic experience to sail with Sir Robin. Coming from Birmingham we were not used to the sea but learnt loads of new skills. Unfortunately, we didn't win but had the wind been up I think we would have been in with a shout. The RNLI is a great cause that we were really happy to represent. We have met so many great people today but none more so than the RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew.’

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is proud to be the official charity of Cowes Week 2009. As a registered charity that saves lives at sea, the RNLI receives no Government funding, so it depends entirely on the generosity of public donations and legacies, and on these kinds of unique fundraising opportunities to ensure the future operation of its 24/7 maritime search and rescue service.