PRESS RELEASE
01 February 2012
The Fat Face Foundation, the charitable arm of the clothing company Fat Face, has sponsored a new sail each for Lord Nelson and Tenacious which are the only tall ships in the world designed to be sailed by mixed crews of able-bodied and disabled people including wheelchair users.
The two ships are operated by the Jubilee Sailing Trust, a charity whose mission is to enable people to take part in tall ship sailing whatever their level of physical ability. Disabled and able-bodied sailors alike work the ship side by side and handle the sails together. Lord Nelson has 18 sails and Tenacious has 21, all of which get considerable wear and tear since the ships are operated all year round. To maintain high standards of safety, the sails are replaced regularly through donations and sponsorship.
The Fat Face Foundation seeks to work with organisations that enable people to actively enjoy the outdoors and respect the environment. Rachel Follett, Director and Trustee of the Foundation said "We actively aim to make the outdoors more accessible for all, so sponsoring these sails fits perfectly with our ethos. It’ll be fantastic to think that the sails will be out there crossing oceans and helping to change the lives of people with a variety of disabilities".
Sarah Davies, Marketing Manager of the Jubilee Sailing Trust said "I wanted to approach the Fat Face Foundation as a potential sail sponsor because I could see a natural fit and I was delighted when they agreed. Our charity is dependent on the generosity of sponsors and donors which enables us to keep our ships afloat and continue to offer what for many is a profoundly life-changing experience".
Lord Nelson is currently in the Canaries and Tenacious is in the Caribbean. Both will return to Southampton in May when the new sails will be set ready for summer voyages in UK and European waters.
www.jst.org.uk