Fishbourne Sailability Honoured at recent IWCF 2009 Annual Reception
The
Annual Reception of the Isle of Wight Community Fund was held on
Wednesday 21st October in the Pavilion at Royal Yacht Squadron. This
reception is held to promote the work of the Fund to sponsors and
potential sponsors. A picture of one of our members, ‘Captain Bob’, was
chosen to be on the front of the IWCF Flyer, below, presented to all
attendees. Fishbourne Sailability was honoured by being asked to
represent this year’s recipients with two speaches.
Mr
Brian Gay spoke of the history of the Club and the huge success of
Dougal, giving thanks to the IWCF for enabling the project to happen
and to our hosts, the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. Speaking second was a
member, Lesley Bennett, whose son, now 22, was involved in a very
serious motor accident 3 years ago. She spoke of the tremendous benefit
that trips on Dougal had been to her son, his carers and herself and
thanked the Fund for enabling the project to happen.
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Vera
Hancock
Vera
Hancock, far right, aboard 'Dougal' on the Naming Day
The Club
has received the sad and shocking news of the death on 21st
June of Vera Hancock.
Vera was
a devoted and hard-working member of Fishbourne Sailability,
virtually from its inception, and was a valued member of the
Management Committee.
A long
time sailor at the Royal Victoria with her husband John, Vera worked
energetically to promote on-water activities for people with
disabilities.
Despite
a long standing illness which required extensive medical treatment,
Vera continued to support Sailability with vigour and cheerfulness
right up to the last few weeks.
Vera
will be sorely missed by all members of Sailability and the club
extends its sympathies to John and their daughters.
The Club
was well represented at Vera's funeral on 1st July.
The
family requested that, if desired, donations in Vera's memory should
be made to the Earl Mountbatten Hospice. If members wish to make a
personal donation then it may be sent directly to the Hospice or to
David Allen, Hon Treasurer, who will collect donations and pass them
on.
The
Management Committee is considering the most appropriate form of
permanent memorial for Vera and details will be announced in due
course.
Brian
Gay
Commodore
St Georges School gets afloat!
St
Georges special needs School has teamed up with Fishbourne Sailability
Club to offer pupils the chance to experience the joys of getting onto
the water. A special Group Membership scheme has been developed that
allows the school to take groups of students for dedicated sessions on
Dougal, FSC’s new wheelchair access vessel. There will be five such
sessions this year offering students these taster sessions in a safe
environment.
The first of these sessions took place on
Thursday 25th June with eight students and five supporting adults, led
by teacher Mrs Vida Lewis, project leader for the school. It was
a great success with most of the students taking a turn at the helm.
‘This
presents a wonderful opportunity to take our less mobile pupils afloat.
Those new to boating felt very safe and secure aboard Dougal ‘ said
Vida. ‘My year 12 class have described the day as fantastic, excellent,
a relaxing and peaceful experience. They can’t wait to go again.
Patrick
de Peyer, of Fishbourne Sailability Club: ‘We are delighted to be
working with St Georges School. Our new vessel, Dougal, named by High
Sheriff Gay Edwards back in April, gave us the opportunity to make this
offer to St Georges and we look forward to working with them over the
years to come.’
 |  | | Rob steers using the mobile steering console | Easy loading with the side access ramp. |
Fishbourne
Sailability Club was formed in 2002 to enable those with disabilities
to enjoy getting onto the water. The Club is generously hosted by the
Royal Victoria Yacht Club and is an RYA Sailability Foundation Site.
Dougal was commissioned in April following a fund raising campaign
supported by members, Charities and local businesses.
Geoff Holt – An Active Diary!
Following
on from his superb endorsement of Dougal at the Naming Ceremony in
April we promised we would try to keep you up to date with Geoff’s
activities and, in particular, his Trans Atlantic plans. Trying
going to his website and subscribing to his regular email updates –
there always seems to be something going on!
Geoff's diary
Wheelchair Friendly boat commissioned on 25th April
Some
lucky Isle of Wight wheelchair users went out on the new boat specially
commissioned by Fishbourne Sailability Club (FSC) on Saturday 25th
April as a part of the official naming ceremony held at the Royal
Victoria Yacht Club (RVYC)
Opening
the event Steve Warren-Smith, Commodore of the RVYC said “ We are proud
to be able to host Fishbourne Sailability and hugely impressed that
they have brought this important project to completion in just 8
months.”
Welcoming
the principal guests, representatives of sponsors and members of RVYC
and FSC Brian Gay, Commodore of FSC, said "We owe a great debt to RVYC,
our sponsors and members of both clubs for supporting FSC in raising
funds and buying the boat in such a short period of time."
Mrs
Gay Edwards, High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight, presided over the
cutting of the ribbon and ‘wetting of the bow’ naming the boat
‘Dougal’. Mrs Edwards, together with members of the
Management
Committee and Mr Geoff Holt, as guest helm, made the inaugural
trip. Following the ceremony Gay was heard to say “I was
thrilled
to bits to be invited to name Dougal and very relieved to have got it
right on the day. Sailors do not like mis-naming jinxes.”
Geoff
Holt, the disabled yachtsman of Personal Everest fame, made a short but
heartfelt speech in support of the project.
Geoff
Holt said “It is hard to put into words the sense of freedom,
independence and just sheer pleasure disabled people feel when out on
the water. Although sailing is the obvious choice for many, others may
prefer a different experience but wheelchair accessible powerboats are
few and far between. I was delighted to hear that Fishbourne
Sailability had identified this need but amazed that they had come up
with the idea, raised the funds and launched the boat all within 8
months, quite extraordinary, it’s a real testament to all the hard work
of the volunteers at the club.”
The
event, attended by many sponsors, club members and supporters, was a
huge success – even the weather stayed kind to us.
We
are actively seeking new members and are looking to develop special
interest groups such as fishing, painting, and photography to take
advantage of this new boat.
We
believe that the availability of this boat will make a real difference
to many people with disabilities on the Island.
Top left - Gay Edwards (High Sheriff)
cuts the tape
Top right -
Geoff Holt and Gay Edwards with Officers aboard Dougal
Bottom left
- Ample room for all aboard
Bottom right
- Dougal motors past RVYC |
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