Donation helps young sailors embark on ocean dream
by Jo Taylor, Watermark Communications 4 May 2006 20:00 BST
Cambridge Garage supports sailing charity for second year
It’s anchors away for talented young sailors in the south after a local business gave a Hampshire youth sailing charity a boost with a generous donation of £1,000. Cambridge Garage in Havant presented the cheque to Trustee and co-founder of the John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST), Ian Walker. The South’s Olympic sailing gold medallist took a break from his busy international sailing schedule to receive the donation on board the ‘John Merricks’ Farr 45 grand prix race yacht, moored in Hamble.
John Merricks Sailing Trust was set up in memory of the leading Olympic sailor and 1996 Olympic silver medallist John Merricks who died tragically in a car accident. The donation from Cambridge Garage, Hampshire’s leading Volvo dealership, will help the Hamble-based charity continue its work with young sailors and youth sailing organisations.
Suzy Hamel, from the John Merricks Sailing Trust, said that support from the local business community was crucial for the future of the Trust which has already awarded more than £95,000 to individuals or projects which further youth sailing.
“The Trustees are delighted that Cambridge Garage will be continuing its partnership with the John Merricks Sailing Trust. The donation provides us with the means to award more grants to deserving applicants” said Suzy. “It’s sustained endorsement adds tremendous value to The Trust and offers a great benefit in our goal to support youth sailing in the UK.”
Cambridge Garage in Bedhampton, Havant is the first corporate partner of JMST and is no stranger to the world of sailing. It has supported the Trust for two years and the Volvo garage is now counting down to the eagerly anticipated arrival of the Volvo Ocean Race, the world’s premier round-the-world yacht race, in Portsmouth next month.
Victoria Stringer, Managing Director at Cambridge Garage, which also donated £1,000 to JMST last year, said “We are delighted to continue our relationship with the John Merricks Sailing Trust and to support their junior sailing programme.”
“In recent years the sport’s profile has benefited from the success of British sailors at every levels and we hope that by working with the Trust we can help today’s young British sailing talent to become tomorrows champions,” Victoria added.