Cowes Week announces search for new Official Charity for 2017

Cowes Week Ltd has worked with UKSA for the last three years © UKSA

Cowes Week Ltd has had the pleasure of working with UKSA for the last three years with 2016 as UKSA's final year as Official Charity.

UKSA's primary aim is to provide transformational opportunities for young people using the power of the sea and watersports. Over the last three years, the charity has successfully provided opportunities for all-comers to get afloat and experience the excitement of sailing at the iconic event. In addition, they engaged with the public shore-side with a presence at Cowes Yacht Haven and worked closely with the local business community and event sponsors. They experienced great success and engagement with some of their fun initiatives such as "Boss Up a Mast" where senior executives were winched up masts of their ocean-going yachts, and not allowed down until a fundraising target had been reached!

Commenting on the charity's tenure as official charity, Ben Willows, CEO at UKSA, said: "Thanks to the generosity of those attending Cowes Week we have raised over £200,000 in the last three years. This has allowed UKSA to provide transformational and life changing opportunities to many young people and to invest in the site to continue to offer world class facilities bringing amazing outcomes. To be the Official Charity to Cowes Week has been a huge honour. As a charity which uses the power of the sea to make a difference to young people's lives, what better way to do it than at the world's most famous sailing regatta."

Cowes Week Limited appoints an official charity in order that fundraising activity during the event can be conducted in a focused way. Experience and feedback has shown that having a single charity with clear objectives aligned to the event is the best way of channelling charitable activity at the regatta.

Looking ahead to 2017, Cowes Week Limited is now beginning the process of appointing an official charity for next year's regatta. The initial length of agreement offered will be one year, to cover the 2017 event. Any charities that are interested in becoming involved should register their interest with Kristen Lloyd: . The application form can also be found on the website www.cowesweek.co.uk Cowes Week 2017 takes place from 29 July – 5 August. More details on the event are available at www.cowesweek.co.uk.