Toe in the Water uses competitive sailing to re-inspire profoundly and traumatically injured servicemen and women to see beyond their injuries, and perform to their limits regardless of physical condition.

Racing with and against able bodied crew members, they quickly form part of a team, and recognise the immediate challenge of competing in such a fast paced environment as one unit. This requires a chain of command, defined roles, uniform, discipline, reliability and competitiveness which of course emulates the regime which has been drilled into as soldiers, sailors and airmen. This commonality is familiar to them, it is structured, and it works.

The uniqueness of TITW is that it is based on clinical referral of patients who are identified by the rehabilitation team. Each year up to 70 service personnel are referred to the TOE IN THE WATER programme, most of whom have never been on a boat before, let alone competed in some of the UK's most challenging regattas, let alone against such highly experienced and often professional crews.

Each event is manned by medics, physiotherapists and crew, with safety being paramount. The medical team assess each individual on arrival and together with Capt Lloyd Hamilton MBE RE, the Racing Director, give them a role onboard which will push them to the edge of their comfort zone. In general, the injured crew will receive just one days training before heading out to face the competition.

Our Trustees

Founded in 2008 by Captain Holly King and Tanya Brookfield, Tanya now manages the day-to-day running of the organisation under the guidance and support of the trustees Capt Lloyd Hamilton MBE, Major Tom Wood, and Chairman, Major General (Retired) Mike von Bertele CB OBE.

Tanya is supported by Kate McGougan our part time book keeper, Alex Tredget our part time fundraiser and Capt Hamilton, who runs the racing side of the organisation, in spite of his busy day job as a Royal Engineer in the British Army.

Our Ambassadors

We are very proud to have three ambassadors – multiple world record holders and all round sailing legends Brian Thompson (www.brianthompsonsailing.com) and Dee Caffari MBE (www.deecaffari.com). Dee and Brian were joined by Lance Corporal Chris Herbert who was appointed as an ambassador for the charity in recognition for not only all he has achieved personally since losing his leg in Iraq in 2007, but also for his tireless enthusiasm and commitment to Toe in the Water and re-inspiring other injured service personnel like him.