Iain Percy hands over cheque to National Schools Sailing Association

Iain Percy of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation hands over significant funds to the National Schools Sailing Association © Alex Irwin / www.sportography.tv

Iain Percy, Trustee of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, flew in from his Artemis America's Cup team base in San Francisco to attend the annual RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show and to present a cheque from the Foundation for Twenty Three Thousand Pounds (£23,000) to James Conway, Treasurer of the National Schools Sailing Association.

The money is one of the first major grants made by the Foundation and will be used by the NSSA to fund school aged children, up to the age of 18, to participate in training programmes, regattas and instructor courses throughout the country.

The money will also fund training, race management and safety courses for volunteers of all ages across the country who currently work with the NSSA to develop youth sailing.

Iain Percy is one of the founders of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation which was set up in memory of his long term sailing partner and fellow Olympian, Andrew Simpson who died in 2013.

The NSSA is a UK organisation which has been a springboard for a number of Olympic sailors, including Olympic gold medallist, Paul Goodison. Concentrating on an inclusive sailing and social experience for sailors of all abilities, it aims to engage young people as sailors for life.

Speaking at the show James said "This valued and gratefully received support will enable us to build on our current foundations of providing an inclusive sailing experience for young people, as well as training volunteers to make this possible. The generosity of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation and its supporters will allow us to improve and enhance the sailing and training opportunities for both youth and adult members of the National School Sailing Association. This in turn will enable the NSSA and its affiliated clubs, schools and associations to ensure a high standard of event and training provision for all."

Iain Percy said "So many people have contributed to the Foundation in memory of Bart and we still continue to work hard raising funds for the Foundation. It's good to be able to distribute those funds in a way which will have both wide reach and sustainability. We are looking forward to funding many more projects which achieve the Foundation's aim of transforming lives through sailing."

www.andrewsimpsonfoundation.co.uk / www.nssa.org.uk