5th May 2010
Peter Harrison Foundation Give Toe In The Water Fighting Chance At Tacktick Suunto J80 National Championships
Thanks to a generous grant from the Peter Harrison Foundation, the TOE IN THE WATER initiative is entering four boats into the 2010 Tacktick Suunto J80 National Championships hosted by Cardiff Bay Yacht Club. This is the second year Toe in the Water has entered the event and the teams are keen to beat their previous results.
TOE IN THE WATER is a non-profit organisation which uses sailing as a vehicle to re-inspire injured servicemen and women, all of whom have been profoundly wounded and even lost limbs and are currently being treated at Headley Court, the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre. The servicemen’s active participation in the event is a crucial part of their rehabilitation programme after sustaining traumatic injuries, many sustained whilst recently serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, although many of them have never been on a yacht before, let alone raced competitively.
John Ledlie, the Director of the Peter Harrison Foundation, said: "We were delighted to help Toe in the Water buy the sails for their boats. The Trustees of the Foundation felt that Toe in the Water is a charity that is very deserving of support; it does a fantastic job in providing sailing opportunities for men and women of the Armed Forces who have been injured in the service of their country. We know that our grant money is being put to very good use."
North Sails UK were chosen as the sail partner. Sail designer Jeremy Smart commented "We have a massive respect for our injured servicemen and women and are really excited about being chosen as the sail supplier for TOE IN THE WATER. We are proud to see how well the sails perform in the first event and are looking forward to joining the team for some competitive racing throughout 2010."
In order to keep its costs to a minimum, TOE IN THE WATER does not own its own boats and has been loaned them from Surrey County Council and UKSA for the Championship event. Lloyd Hamilton, TOE IN THE WATER’s Director of Racing commented "The gift of our own sails is fantastic and will hopefully really enhance our performance on the water. The support we receive from so many people from volunteers, to suppliers, partners and donors, just continues to overwhelm us and TOE IN THE WATER could not re-inspire so many injured servicemen and women without it. The J80 Class Association and the Cardiff Bay Yacht Club in particular have been fantastic."
Hamilton, himself a serving Royal Engineer, is recently returned from Afghanistan and has been involved in many operations all over the world. "Its amazing, most of the guys who are referred to TOE IN THE WATER have never been on a boat before, let alone raced in a national competition yet after just a day’s training, they’re ready to take on the most experienced crews. In spite of the severity of their injuries, the guys have more grit and determination to do well than many teams who sail together on a regular basis! Everyone gets completely stuck in from the moment they arrive, preparing the boats as well as racing them. Being back in a team is key and the competitive element really gives them real focus. It’s a great credit to all at Headley Court and the rehab process that that the guys can participate in this sort of racing at this kind of level, and not just be passengers. TOE IN THE WATER is about adapting to the challenge, not the challenge being adapted to you." he commented. "We’re really looking forward to some seriously competitive racing this weekend and a great season ahead."
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