Sailing friends plan £2,500 charity circumnavigation of Holy Island
by Paula Irish 22 Aug 2016 17:17 BST
22 August 2016
Archie and Harvey with their RS Feva © Chris Leigh
Junior sailors Harvey Leigh and Archie Leckie are aiming to complete a 23-mile circumnavigation of Holy Island off north Wales in an RS Feva – raising £2,500 for Trearddur Bay RNLI and the Heads Together mental illness charity.
It will involve sailing nearer to 30 miles and include navigating the terrific tidal challenges around the island's North and South Stack lighthouses and the busy shipping channels around the port of Holyhead. They'll also need perfect timing for sailing through the tidal shoots at either end of the 'inland' leg.
Their first attempt during the school summer holidays was aborted through lack of wind – then by stark contrast, their aim to have a second try at the challenge over the weekend was thwarted by the Atlantic storm which swept in. They are now looking for the next available weather window.
Both boys are from Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club near Manchester and also sail at Trearddur Bay on Holy Island, off Anglesey. Harvey is moving into the RS Feva class after sailing Optimists, while Archie continues to sail his Oppie nationally and internationally. They have so far raised £2,277 towards their £2,500 goal.
"Mental illness is a subject which has touched most families," said Harvey, aged 12, explaining their choice of charities for the challenge. "Confusingly most families don't want to talk about it. I exchanged letters with Prince William when he was stationed at RAF Valley. Now he is leading the new mental health charity Heads Together to reduce the stigma."
Thirteen-year-old Archie meanwhile chose the RNLI as a result of his own experiences at sea: "I was sailing with my dad in a small yacht and we went too near to some rocks. The seas were rough and we felt we were in great danger. Luckily there was an RNLI trained helm on the water nearby who would have saved the day if we needed him. That is why I picked the RNLI as my charity."
For all the latest updates or to sponsor the boys visit their website at www.charitysail.com