- PRESS RELEASE -
Date: 25/10/10
Sandy Takes off on another Tall Ship Adventure
Sandy Buckley, a retired social worker from Barnstaple, will be setting off on another tall ship adventure aboard a unique tall ship in February next year.
Sandy will be joining the crew of Lord Nelson for an eight day voyage around the Canary Islands, leaving Las Palmas on 14 February and returning there on 21 February.
Sandy will be joining a crew of up to 40 other amateurs on board Lord Nelson 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. The other ship Tenacious is also owned and operated by the JST.
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.
Sandy, who suffers from arthritis and has a heart condition, plucked up her courage and took her first voyage with the JST this year, fulfilling a childhood dream to visit Norway, when she sailed on Tenacious in the Tall Ships Race from Aalberg in Denmark to Kristiansand in Norway.
Sandy logged onto the JST forum before her voyage and chatted to others who would be on her voyage. She struck up a friendship with a fellow traveller when as she says: "despite the age difference and my disabilities, we clicked with the same sense of humour and outlook on life." She was lucky enough to be assigned to the same watch with her new friend and eight other crew members of different ages and abilities. Sandy was also given a 'buddy’ due to her disabilities, who was "so kind and helpful" on the voyage.
Sandy says: "I shall never forget the feeling as the Tenacious slipped her moorings and we set sail." She exchanged glances with her friend and thought: "this is it we’re off!"
The JST is excited about its new offer this winter – 'Bring a buddy for free’! This is the perfect opportunity to introduce a friend who hasn’t sailed with the JST before, to come on a voyage for free, or perhaps you could share the costs between you. This offer is available on 7 voyages in Las Palmas on Lord Nelson and 4 sailings in Antigua on Tenacious.