The Goldsmiths Company raise funds for aspiring disabled sailors
by Susie NationGrainger, RYA 12 Oct 2012 17:54 BST
20-year-old, Will Street from Eastbourne, a member of the Skandia Team GBR Transition Squad © RYA Sailability
The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths are partnering with the RYA to provide essential funding to support aspiring Paralympic sailors.
The Golden Dream Fund will help developing sailors in the Paralympic classes who are aiming for the 2016 Rio Games and beyond, with key areas including boat purchase, boat equipment, events, accessible accommodation, travel and the support of volunteers.
"We are delighted to announce this new partnership between the RYA and The Goldsmiths' Company" said RYA CEO Sarah Treseder,
"The RYA Olympic Transition Squad sailors in the Paralympic classes have limited resources to promote their potential to be future medal winners. The squad works tirelessly to raise money, and they face a lot of competition from athletes in other sports. The funding provided by Goldsmiths' is a real opportunity to make dreams come true".
At a charity ball in June, The Goldsmiths' Company raised over £30,000 for The Golden Dream Fund which also benefits aspiring Paralympic archers.
The money raised has provided grants for four aspiring sailors, including 20-year-old, Will Street from Eastbourne, a member of the Skandia Team GBR Transition Squad, who needed new sails for his six-year-old boat, in order to continue with his 2016 Paralympic campaign.
"I'm very pleased to be awarded and feel extremely privileged" he said. "I've used the same mainsail for five international and four national events this year. I think it's essential to have new sails throughout the year to keep improving and this funding will enable me to do that. It will greatly assist me in my campaign".
Richard Agutter from The Goldsmiths' Company said: "We are delighted to be raising money for The Golden Dream Fund. As a company we like to support charities that really make a difference and seeing what the funding means to the sailors and how it will benefit their lives is absolutely wonderful. We are planning to raise another £50,000 for The Golden Dream Fund in 2013."
For more information on the Golden Dream Fund and to apply for a grant visit www.rya.org.uk/programmes/ryasailability/Pages/GoldenDreamfunding.aspx