George Osborne supports Bart's Bash

Bart's Bash © Polly Durrant

George Osborne named Patron of Bart's Bash race at Budworth Sailing Club

The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation is delighted to announce that the Rt Hon George Osborne MP will be the Patron of the Bart's Bash race at the Budworth Sailing Club, Northwich.

On Sunday 21st September at 11.00am the Club, which is in the MP's constituency of Tatton, will join hundreds of other clubs throughout the world in attempting to set a new Guinness World record attempt for the' Largest Sailing Race in the World'. The aim of the event is to remember Andrew 'Bart' Simpson, fundraising for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, to inspire a new generation of sailors and to encourage clubs to open their doors.

Rt Hon George Osborne MP said: "I am delighted to become a Patron. I hope that the event is a huge success and you manage to make the Guinness Book of Records."

Although Mr. Osborne will not race on the day, he supported the event and the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation's charitable cause with a generous donation.

The Club expects to have 100 dinghies sailing in the Budworth Mere's 100 acres of water on 21st September.

Since its launch, the Bart's Bash event has gathered incredible support beyond the sailing world, including support from UK Minister for Sport Helen Grant.

Foundation Trustee and double Olympic gold medallist Iain Percy OBE commented: "I've been blown away by all the support the event has already managed to achieve. We invite everybody, sailors and non-sailors, to join us on 21st September 2014 in this unique event which we hope will inspire the next generation through sailing. It will be a great, fun experience, whether taking part or supporting on the day."

Fundraising for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation's Charitable activities

The explosion of enthusiasm for the event has seen over 7,000 sailors from 700+ sailing clubs around the world signing up online and fundraising to support the Foundation's charitable activities, which aims to help young people to develop the personal skills that will improve their ability to succeed in life.

All the funds raised through Bart's Bash will support the development and delivery of the Foundation's charitable programmes nationally and internationally. These programmes have Bart's and the Olympic values at their heart, and are currently being developed and tested at the Andrew Simpson Sailing Centre. Pilot programmes, designed to enhance sailing activities and participation, as well as to reach more young people, are also being tested in Bermuda and South Africa.

The Foundation wishes to thank all those who have shown support to the event so far. Registration for clubs closes on 14th September 2014 and individual online entries will close on 19th of September. Participants will be able to sign up on the day at registered Bart's Bash clubs that have capacity; however clubs encourage all interested sailors to sign up at bartsbash.co.uk as soon as possible to enable them to plan accordingly. When signing up online, sailors are able to set up their own JustGiving page and are encouraged to start fundraising. To make the suggested donation of £5 to enter people can also text BART76 £5 to 70070.

The full Guinness World record criteria are explained here. You can see where the sailing stars will race on 21st September.

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