The Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST), the UK’s most inclusive sailing charity, are beginning 2009 with a bang. Looking to energise people into doing fun and interesting things to raise funds for their cause, the Trust have launched their ‘800 Challenge’. The ultimate aim is to ensure the charity can continue to provide life changing experiences for people with disabilities.
The challenge goes out to anyone who wants to raise money for this great cause. It entails 800 people signing up and each fundraising £1,000 in a year through a variety of fun and wacky activities.
Keen to help those who want to get involved, the JST have produced a booklet of superb fundraising ideas which include, activities for the home, such as themed parties and quiz nights as well as sponsored challenges such as daring mast climbs aboard a tall ship or a skydive with the Red Devils.
If the Trust are successful in raising £800,000 from the challenge they will be able to finish paying the building costs of their second ship, Tenacious. For the Trust, this would mean they can then focus on ensuring an even greater number of physically disabled individuals can experience the thrill and adventure of a lifetime aboard one of their specially designed tall ships.
Both Lord Nelson and Tenacious are unique tall ships. They are the only vessels of their kind in the world that have been designed and built to enable people with physical abilities to sail the ship alongside able bodied crewmates as equals.
Tenacious, which was completed in 2000, is the largest wooden tall ship of her kind to be built in the UK in the last 100 years. She cost over £14 million to build, £6.5 million from the National Lottery and the rest from sponsorship and fundraising. Since her maiden voyage in September 2000 she has taken over 5,760 people to sea, of these over 2,210 have been physically disabled.
Whilst aboard, crew members will play an active role in sailing the ship, taking part in a range of activities including helming, setting sails and cleaning, affectionately referred to as ‘happy hour’. Absolutely no sailing experience is necessary, just enthusiasm and a sense of adventure.
Sarah Staines, fundraising manager at the JST said, “We are really excited about the 800 challenge and the response from the public has been tremendous so far. Paying off the building costs would ensure the future of the Trust. We have a realistic goal and are confident we can reach it.”
To find out how you can help change lives by signing up to the 800 Challenge, call the JST today on 023 8044 6868. Alternatively check out the 800 Challenge page to see who has pledged already.