Six RS21 keelboats are being donated to the Sea Cadets, thanks to the generous support of Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou. The RS21s will be rotated around the country to deliver keelboat training amongst the 15,000 Sea Cadets across the UK. Guests were invited to the soft launch last weekend to experience a taste of the programme which the Sea Cadets youth charity will be able to deliver.
The training made possible through these RS21 keelboats will focus on delivery of RYA qualifications and league competitions across at least 8 boat stations nationally. These boats are expected to provide a minimum of 12 years of service for the benefit of over 1,000 cadets per year.
Sea Cadets charity Chief Executive, Martin Coles said “we are extremely grateful to Sir Stelios for the fantastic opportunity these keelboats will provide our cadets. Many of our young people come from inner city communities or disadvantaged areas and would never have imagined being able to access sail training in such fantastic vessels, maybe even inspiring a future career in the maritime sector. So for many of our cadets, these keelboats mark the beginning of a life that would not otherwise have been available to them.”
Sea Cadets broadens horizons and creates possibilities through a different kind of adventure. Working across the UK with 14,000 young people aged 10 to 18, they help them develop into resilient, confident young people who can launch well in life, whatever their background. www.sea-cadets.org
Photo Credit: Nathaniel Rosa http://www.nathanielrosa.co.uk
