Six Youngsters to be presented with MDL Sail Training Awards

The six winners of 2001 MDL Sail Training Awards will be presented with their awards by Lord Iliffe, Chairman of Marina Developments Ltd (MDL) at 10.30 am on Saturday 6th January at the MDL stand at the London International Boat Show (Stand 3A).

Marina Developments Ltd (MDL) has been running these Sail Training Awards in association with the Ocean Youth Trust (OYT) for thirteen years and the scheme represents MDL’s longstanding commitment to encouraging young people to get afloat. The awards are presented annually to the most deserving and inspirational young people in the six regions where MDL has marinas. The winners will each receive a trophy from Lord Iliffe and win a week’s sailing adventure aboard one of the Ocean Youth Trust yachts next summer.

The year 2001 winners are:

Dean Overton, (16), Farnborough, Hampshire

Dean was nominated by Mrs Verona Hall, his headteacher at Cove School in Farnborough who considered him a worthy recipient of an MDL Sail Training Award. Dean lives with his widowed mother, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and relies on Dean to help out at home. In addition to completing his schoolwork, Dean has to do all the housework, help out with the shopping and cooking. Therefore he does not have much free time, but always completes his school homework, never complains and is constantly cheerful.

Justin Freegard (12), Weymouth, Dorset

A pupil at Wey Valley School in Weymouth, Justin does not always have an easy life. He has had some functional problems, but works hard to overcome his own difficulties at school and is keen to please and do well. He lives with his mother and has never had the chance to travel abroad. An enthusiastic member of the local Sea Cadets, he is prepared to work hard and recently raised funds for ‘Shelter’ by participating in a sponsored swim. Justin was nominated by Mr Dukes, his Deputy Head of Year, who thought Justin would benefit enormously from the opportunity to get away from the everyday pressures at school and home.

Tia Lee, Ipswich, Suffolk

Tia is a Year 11 pupil at Thurleston High School in Ipswich and was nominated as a deserving candidate for an MDL Sail Training Award by her deputy headteacher, Roger Dickie. Although she comes from a disadvantaged background, Tia works hard at school and is a very caring individual who is always ready to lend a helping hand to those less able than her. As someone who is a good ‘team player’, and who has never had the chance to travel, staff feel that Tia will gain much from a week’s sailing adventure along with other young people.

Kyle Anderson, (12), Plymouth, Devon

Kyle is a pupil at Stoke Damerel Community College in Plymouth, an inner-city comprehensive school, which is one of the most improved in the country in recent years. Mr Alexander, the School Principal nominated Kyle as a sensible and hard working student, who would benefit tremendously from the opportunity to experience a sailing adventure. He has had to cope with difficulties at home, but remains a cheerful and polite individual at all times.

Sam Nunn (15), Ipswich, Suffolk

Sam is a Year 11 pupil at Holbrook High School and was nominated by Mr Mclean, his School Co-ordinator for this award. Although Sam was born with physical disabilities, this has not stopped him from taking a full and active part in school life. He has represented his school at basketball and football and recently taken part in a school musical production.

Sam also volunteered to act as a ‘mentor’ at school, helping new Year 7 pupils when they transfer from primary to Holbrook High School. His nominator praised Sam for his determination and will to succeed which have helped him achieve so much.

Sarah Jane Compton Williams, (17), Berkshire

Sarah was nominated by Mrs Angela Inger, her class co-ordinator at St Bernard’s Convent School in Slough as an enthusiastic and hard working pupil who has coped admirably with problems at home and would benefit from the challenge of this sailing adventure.

The six winners of MDL Sail Training Awards will embark on a week’s sailing voyage aboard the Ocean Youth Trust yacht, ‘John Laing’. They will board the yacht in Poole on 4th August and during their sailing trip, they will be involved with all aspects of sailing a yacht, including hoisting sails, helping with maintenance, sailing the boat at night and even cooking for the rest of the crew! Depending on the weather, they may sail across to the Channel Islands and France, before they disembark in Plymouth on 11th August.

MDL is keen to promote sailing to young people and supports many youth initiatives, including the prestigious MDL Young Sailor of the Year award to be presented at the Boat Show Ball on 5th January. The company also sponsors the national Cadet Championships, which provides racing for youngsters up to the age of 18 in the Cadet class two man sailing dinghy.