PRESS RELEASE
Date: 21/09/10
Local Resident has another Tall Ship Adventure
Dr Mandy Fry of South Cerney, Gloucester, will soon be setting off on her latest sailing adventure aboard a unique tall ship.
The local GP will be joining the crew of Tenacious on 5 November when she heads south from Southampton for warmer climes, arriving in Cascais (Lisbon), the historic capital of Portugal, on 18 November.
Mandy will be sailing in a crew of up to 40 other amateurs on board Tenacious which is owned and operated by Southampton based charity, Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST). The ship is one of only two in the world that has been designed and built to enable able bodied and disabled people to sail side by side as equals. Mandy has sailed with the JST on a number of previous occasions, crossing the Atlantic in 2005 on a longer voyage during her sabbatical year and making lots of friends with whom she is still in contact.
Everyone on board has a part to play no matter what their level of experience or ability. With facilities that include wheelchair lifts between deck levels, a speaking compass and the option for joystick steering or the usual ship’s wheel, but with hydraulic power assisted steering, everybody has the chance to fully participate in the action on board.
Mandy who also enjoys dinghy sailing in her spare time, is planning to take her young
nephew on a day sail with the JST in 2011.
Mandy says of her experiences sailing with the Jubilee Sailing Trust: "I get friends, fun
and laughter and a new appreciation of what individuals can achieve with
encouragement– both able bodied people with a fear of heights who are supported to
climb the rigging, and those with disabilities. It is also a brilliant way to get away from work
as once you are settled into the routine of watches then nothing else seems to matter! I
also love the way that everyone is encouraged to participate as much as they are able."
Mandy is now looking forward to setting sail this autumn for some warmer weather in
Lisbon.